Seasons Greetings from the Post Office

God forbid the Post Office should celebrate Christmas with a yuletide card offering that makes any reference to the main event or even hints at Jesus Christ and the nativity.

Why, even Santa has fallen foul of the misguided politically correct sensors this year. That dodgy get up and over-eager enthusiasm to sit children on his knee may have got him reported to the police.

Those of us fortunate enough to receive Christmas cards from the Post Office got a bland 'Season's Greetings' and a bemusing product placement picture instead. On the cover we were treated to a picture of a hapless 'multi-cultural Britain' black postman fiddling around with a post box outside a post office somewhere up in Scotland.

He was watched over by a couple of bemused Aberdeen Angus Scottish Highland cows and three red vans. These, one assumes from the greeting inside, represent the not-so-wise three kings of the Post Office, Royal Mail and Parcel Force.

Their arrival seems to have caused quite a stir as the subpostmaster is looking out of the branch staring in wonder - not at a star but mobile post office van. This is obviously going to be a difficult Christmas as it means this branch must be one of the 2,500 earmarked for the chop over the next 18 months.

At least she has that gift of a book of stamps to fall back on so generously sent out by the Post Office to all branches this year as a thank you for working for a pittance with the possible reward of being shut down.

But this is not a time for being Scrooge-like so we should share that yuletide love by extending a friendly hand even to those poor misguided fools closing community lifelines. But don't expect a Christmas card.

Toby Walne

toby@walne.co.uk

Comments

[David Southwood]

I know that i am only one of the few but i am sure that you will pleased to learn that not only has my Post office Brackenborough Road Postoffice in Louth but also Bailgate in Lincoln have been saved from closure and i like to think that is partly due to your articles and your interest in our offices. Happy New Year it will be for us.