The Cornish branch of the Celtic League has joined a campaign of opposition to the closure of rural Post Offices. Branch Secretary, Mike Chappell, says (see below) that these closure are "a contributing factor to the death of rural communities".
"Postwatch South & West c/o Regional support team 28 - 30 Grosvenor Gardens LONDON SW1W 0TT
Dear Sir
LOCAL POST OFFICES IN KERNOW (CORNWALL)
We write following communication with all our Cornish members of the Westminster Parliament and join in their concern at the loss of rural post offices in the Duchy and of the severe under funding and under recognition of those post offices which remain.
The way business is being taken away from the post office and passed to other retail businesses is alarming and often confusing to many people. Our pensioners are growing increasingly concerned at constant change to methods by which they can obtain their entitlements and purchase savings stamps and so on towards the TV Licence, Car Tax and other requirements.
In Kernow, the loss of a small sub post office is a blow to local communication and the concept of it being a 'one stop shop' where many official licences and documents may be obtained and dealt with seems to be lost on successive Westminster Governments. Many of our people now have to travel miles to visit a shop in order to renew a TV Licence whereas previously, all could be dealt with on the same premises.
The fact that the post office, which was a public service, was privatised was scandalous enough but the way in which its affairs are being currently mishandled is nothing short of criminal.
Our Cornish Branch of the International Celtic League condemns further closures of post offices and allied facilities and regards this as a contributing factor to the death of rural communities.
I await your reply with interest.
Yours faithfully
Michael J.T. Chappell Secretary - An Kesunyans Keltek Scoren Kernewek"
The Branch commitment to this community campaign is particularly commendable given the pressure that branch members have been placed under of late (see earlier Celtic News items).
J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League
20/07/07
■