Our post office closes today

A few years ago, when I worked for a magazine called Wales in Action, I wrote a feature about the benefits of community housing.

The gentleman I interviewed said he believed this mode of living saved the lives of the old people it helped.

That was quite a statement to make, yet the more I thought about it the more it made sense.

The interviewee said an elderly person living alone may not have anything to smile about all day.

However he believed that by being part of a social group, the spirits of lonely or isolated souls could be rejuvenated.

Those words frequently sprang to mind during the last two months. In fact I think his comments apply as much to the social benefits of a post office as they do to his field of expertise.

To some it may seem excessive to ponder whether the closure of a post office is a matter of life and death.

But for our old people, our community, our businesses and, of course, the branch itself, that statement does not seem an exaggerated one to me.

That's why today is one of the saddest in the history of our town.

Colin, our wonderful Sub Postmaster, memorably said that the decision to close our post office would rip the heart out of Llantrisant. Well, today that graphic opinion comes to pass, soon the impact will be felt.

But while the decision to close our branch remains shocking, the reasoning and behaviour of Post Office Ltd and Postwatch Wales lamentable, we can at least take a small sense of consolation in the hardy campaign our townfolk fought.

Special mentions must go to Councillor Glynne Holmes, Community Councillor Allan Matheson and Jane Davidson AM - nobody can fault their vigour and devotion to the cause.

And then, of course, there's Colin and Lynne.

Today we're not only losing what many consider to be the hub of the community, we're also losing the great charm and professionalism of this lovely couple.

They have served the people of Llantrisant superbly over the last 16 years.

It's not often you meet folk who excel in both their work and their people skills but Colin and Lynne certainly did. You could always be guaranteed a smile and a helping hand when visiting their branch.

We've been lucky to have had such a great duo serving us for all these years, I know that the people of Llantrisant deeply appreciate all their work and time.

I wish I could conclude this entry on a happy note but I feel very sad today.

Yesterday morning I spoke to my next door neighbour Maureen, a senior member of our community, and she said she could not believe she has been in Llantrisant post office for the last time. She spoke in a tone of shock, her expression was one of disbelief.

I can't believe that after today our post office will have gone, either.

This is a very sad day for our town.