Hands off Castle Rising post office
IN CASTLE Rising the post office represents more than a counter selling stamps or insurance – it is the social hub of a village with a predominantly elderly population.
The post office sits comfortably under the same roof as the village shop and tea rooms, creating a friendly environment where the chores of bill paying and shopping can be shared with a cup of coffee and a chat with friends.
Castle Rising Parish Council is spearheading the campaign to save this crucial facility and has found willing allies among the village's pensioners.
A public meeting to discuss the closure welcomed around 70 villagers, who have signed petitions and backed a detailed letter of objection being prepared by the council.
Mollie Rutherford (85) is typical of many people in the village.
She sees the post office and shop as a vital village amenity and is dreading the prospect of a bus trip to the nearest post office in South Wootton, should her local branch close.
Mrs Rutherford told the Lynn News: "A lot of old people find it very difficult to get on and off the bus. We have no bus shelters here and we will have to wait in acute discomfort if we get bad weather.
"When you get to the other end there is a half-hour wait to get back on the bus again. There isn't even a shop there to make the visit worthwhile.
"It is all very well saying friends in the village can give you a lift, but it is not always convenient and over time it will become a nuisance.
"I just do not think people in authority have any idea about rural life."
Pam Rhoades (71), warden at Trinity Hospital, Castle Rising's almshouses, also fears for the village's pensioners and believes the closure of the post office could see the shop and tea rooms follow suit.
Mrs Rhoades said: "It is devastating really. Most people who live in this village are elderly people. The post office, tea rooms and shop are the centre of the village.
"Going to South Wootton involves two buses, but some of our ladies just cannot get out. There is another post office on Wootton Road but they will have to get off the bus and cross a very busy road. It is just not feasible at all."
The parish council has prepared a four-page document it intends to submit to Post Office bosses as a protest to the closure plans.
Included among the many points raised is a belief Castle Rising generates more income than some other post offices being retained, the fact pensioners will face a 650-yard walk from the bus stop to the recommended post office in South Wootton and that many people, due to age or health, cannot access public transport.
Cllr David Goddard, parish council vice-chairman, said: "Without the post office the other services of the shop and tea room would clearly be under financial threat.
"The whole national closure programme is ill-conceived and while we are fighting to retain Castle Rising we seriously ask the Post Office to reconsider its whole closure programme."
Support the Lynn News Save Our Post Offices campaign – see page 18 of today's paper.
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Weather for King's Lynn
Sunday 27 May 2012
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