Thank you

Thank you Colin and Lynne, I'm so glad you had a lovely send off.

Here's a nice pic of two of Llantrisant's all-time finest.

Your charm and dedication will never be forgotten.

Goodbye to Colin and Lynne

Llantrisant Workingmen's Club is hosting an evening which will celebrate the great contribution to our community of Colin and Lynne.

Tickets for the buffet and entertainment, which will take place on Friday April 25th, cost £6 and are available at the Bull Ring store.

Council "unlikely to assume public subsidy"

This morning I received a letter from Jane Davidson AM. She kindly enclosed a copy of a letter Russell Roberts, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, wrote to her on March 31st, 2008.

(Cllr Roberts' letter was in response to one Jane sent to him on March 12th in which she enquired into the authority's view of Essex County Council's interest in taking over the running of Posts Offices in that area).

Sadly, as the contents below reveal, our council is not in a position to follow the bold lead of Essex.

Dear Jane

Re: Llantrisant Post Office

Thank you for your letter dated March 12th regarding Llantrisant post office and Essex County Council's plans, which I understand are currently the subject of negotiations with Post Office Ltd.

You may be aware that the Council has made a number of strong and unequivocal representations opposing the closure of post offices in Rhondda Cynon Taf. In December, I wrote on behalf of the Council to Post Office Ltd, during its consultation on the closure proposals outlining in the clearest terms our objection to the closure of those branches in the County Borough.

Given the challenging financial climate facing local authorities, including Rhondda Cynon Taf, it is unlikely the Council would be in a position to assume the public subsidy for post office branches in the County Borough. Clearly, this would have implications for resources in service areas for which we have direct responsibility rather than a keen interest as in the case of post offices.

I welcome the reopening of the Post Office Development Fund from 1st January 2009, and would also be interested should the Assembly Government decide to provide specific funding for local authorities to intervene as you suggest.

Yours sincerely



Councillor Russell Roberts
Leader of Cynon Taf County Borough Council

House of Hypocrites

I thought it was worth putting this article (see below), by the Echo's Kate Bodinger, on site.

The front page headline on today's Echo, "Gutless", says it all.

I am furious with Kim Howells. A few weeks ago I asked myself if it was fair to say he was a hypocrite.

Well, because I try to look for the good in people I concluded he wasn't.

I was wrong.

I was naive.

During our campaign I can now see clearly how he revelled in equivocation, what a contrast his words were to the bold, forthright campaigning of Jane Davidson AM.

How can anyone trust a man like Howells, as far as I'm concerned he is about as straight as Spaghetti Junction.

Howells and the Labour MPs who abstained or voted with the Government yesterday should hang their heads in shame.

Read on.

SOUTH Wales Labour MPs this morning defended their decision not to back a Conservative plan to shelve post office closures.

Across South Wales more than 20 post office branches have been closed in the last few weeks.

The Conservative amendment proposed to suspend the closure programme pending further consultation. All MPs were given the opportunity to vote on the Tory proposal in the House of Commons last night.

Cardiff North MP Julie Morgan had campaigned against the closure of Llandaff North Post Office, but abstained in Parliament.

She said she did not feel she could support the Government or the Tory amendment.

“The proposal the Tories put forward hadn’t been thought through at all,” she said. “It was really a political gimmick. I didn’t feel I could support that either.

“I do accept in some ways it’s not the Government’s fault because people have stopped using the post offices. I just feel perhaps we could have had a more pro-active plan to save the post offices. I felt I was in a very difficult position.”

Caerphilly MP Wayne David had campaigned for the Twyn main post office in Caerphilly to be saved, but he voted against the amendment, and as a Labour whip would have helped to ensure that other Labour MPs backed the party line.

He said he had voted against the Tory motion because it represented “pious political opportunism” on the Opposition’s part.

He said: “I have always said the Post Office plc cannot keep losing £500,000 a day nationally. Money has got to be saved but it is up to the Post Office how to save that money.”

“What happened last night was a Tory stunt and I will continue to fight to save post offices like Gilfach, Bargoed which is still under review. It is not up to Government to tell the Post Office how to run its business.”

Cardiff West MP Kevin Brennan also accused the opposition of “playing some politics”. “Post Offices are losing half a million pounds a day,” he said. “The network has to be reduced in size. They were just asking us to delay the consultation.”

Huw Irranca-Davies, MP for the Ogmore constituency, said he also backed the Government in the vote.

“I voted with the Government and against the opposition motion because I agree with the National Federation of Postmasters,” he said. “The political opportunism in opposition to simply ignore the crisis and bury their heads in the sand is quite something to behold. The Post Office needs to be put on a sustainable footing.”

Bridgend MP Madeleine Moon said: “I voted with the Government.

“I think the Tories were playing games with a very important issue. It’s completely hypocritical because they put nothing into the post office in 18 years of government

“I don’t play games. I fight for what is best for my constituents.”

But Post Office campaigners say Labour MPs in South Wales should have voted more strongly against the Government. Peter Gunnery, 64, a disabled grandad who went on hunger strike in protest at the proposed closure of his local post office on Sanquahar Street, Splott, Cardiff, said he was disappointed the plans were still going ahead.

He said: “Obviously I’m devastated that my post office is going to close but I’m resigned to it now. It does give me some hope that some Labour MPs have voted for a suspension of the closures. The Tories will never get back in Wales but I’m glad they are against the plans too.”

How they voted

Julie Morgan (Lab, Cardiff North) - abstained

John Smith (Lab, Vale of Glamorgan) - did not vote

Alun Michael (Lab, Cardiff Sth and Penarth) - voted with Government

Wayne David (Lab, Caerphilly) - voted with Government

Chris Bryant (Lab, Rhondda) - voted with Government

Kim Howells (Lab, Pontypridd) - voted with Government

Dai Harvard (Lab, Merthyr and Rhymney) - voted with Government

Huw Irranca-Davies (Lab, Ogmore) - voted with Government

Madeleine Moon (Lab, Bridgend) - voted with Government

Jenny Willott (Lib Dem, Cardiff Central) - voted against Government

Kevin Brennan (Lab, Cardiff West) - voted with Government

Essex leads the way

Essex County Council's bold and well-publicised decision to consider reopening and running 15 post offices has brought an unexpected glimmer of hope to people across the country.

(For background information to this story please go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7289939.stm)

I contacted Plaid Cymru AM Chris Franks and Labour AM Jane Davidson yesterday about this development and I was happy to hear that both of them are examining the possibilities that Essex's lead may bring.

Find below a copy of a letter, dated March 12th, that Jane has written to Russell Roberts, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taff.

County Borough Councillor Russell Roberts
Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taff CBC
Leader’s Office
The Pavilions
Clydach Vale
Tonypandy
CF40 2XX

Dear Russell,

Re: Llantrisant Post Office

As you will be aware, I have been working closely with Llantrisant residents over recent months regarding the closure of the town’s Post Office.

Residents have recently contacted me in relation to the news reports of Essex County Council’s interest in taking over the running of a number of their county’s Post Offices, and are keen to learn whether RCT has considered a similar initiative.

I should be most grateful if you could provide me with your thoughts on this matter.

Best wishes

Yours sincerely

Jane Davidson
Assembly Member for Pontypridd

I will write a little letter to Russell later today informing him of this site and the strength of feeling in our town.

I will update you if and when I receive further information on this.

The final word

I'll end this site with a picture of our beautiful town, one taken by Christine Gittins, a lady whose fine work is available in the Model House.

This photograph is partly for Post Office Ltd. an organisation which claimed it carried out extensive research in our area...but then wrote that the hilltop town of Llantrisant was "hilly in parts."

Well, that's like saying Everest has the occasional slope.

It was an insult to our intelligence and particularly the old people of our town, but I'll let that go now, it's time to move on.

This site is closing today and the fight has been lost.

However, I console myself with the knowledge that our campaign showed there's a great spirit amongst our townfolk.

The town on the hill will keep on shining and keep on looking resplendent from miles around, that's a certainty.

I hope good times lie ahead for Llantrisant because our townfolk deserve a taste of fortune.

I wish Colin and Lynne all the best in the future.

Social evening

There was a social evening at Caerlan Hall last night, it was to mark the closure of our post office.

I was due to go but some last minute personal problems scuppered my plans, much to my disappointment.

If anyone wants to write about the evening or has some pix they want to share, the stage is yours, be my guest, just get in touch.

I'm really sorry I could not attend, I hope it was a good evening.

A word on Postwatch Wales

This site has fully documented the awful conduct of Postwatch Wales.

I pity any post office that's backed by this organisation.

Why?

Well the best analogy I can think of this.

Imagine going to court and finding, as the Judge does his summing up, that your Solicitor has had a change of heart and joined the Prosecution.

That's the kind of support Postwatch Wales gave us.

Postwatch, you let us down.

Is Kim Howells a hypocrite?

I will close this site soon, I don't see any reason for it continuing. But before I stop, a few parting shots.

Today, on the way to work, I heard a news story on the radio in which the Tories accused several cabinet ministers of "rank hypocrisy" for campaigning to save post offices in their constituencies, despite the Government's decision to back the closure policy last year.

Shadow Post Office Minister Charles Hendry said: "Cabinet ministers have a responsibility to explain to their own constituency why decisions to close post offices were right, rather than just saying their constituencies should be exempted."

These words made me ponder the role of our MP, Dr Kim Howells. "Is he a rank hypocrite?" I asked myself as I drove along the M4.

Dr Howells' problem, at least for us, was that he had a foot in both camps.

Being generous we could say that when we visited him at the House of Commons he outlined both sides of the argument.

But I knew, when he sidestepped my invitation for him to visit our post office, that he was not fully behind us.

You certainly can't compare the calculated arguments he expressed to the passion of Jane Davidson AM who was unequivocal in her support for our campaign.

Just read the words she said on the day we went to Parliament. Why couldn't Foreign Office Minister Dr Howells make a speech like that in aid of us?

So, when it came to his role in our campaign, is it fair to say he was a hypocrite?

No, I think that's too harsh.

But could he have done more?

Yes, he certainly could.

Kim, you let us down.

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.

The walk of a guilty man

I can't help but feel that the following story (see below), which appeared in Saturday's Echo, is not evidence of bravery, as the writer suggests, but more a case of a guilty conscience in need of healing.

If Post Office Chief Steve Geraty is so keen to "walk the walk" why didn't he do so in Llantrisant?

Mr Geraty says he was here last year - well did anyone see him? Why did he not have the courtesy to pop in and say hello to Colin, our Sub Postmaster, when he was in town?

As Colin says, if he visited our Swan Street branch he could have avoided making the ludicrous, shamefully uneducated assertion that the hilltop town of Llantrisant is "hilly in parts".

Here's the story anyway....

YOU can’t accuse him of not walking the walk.

A Post Office chief leading the cull of 30 branches in South Wales stunned councillors in a village fighting the closure of its branch by agreeing to walk with them to the nearest alternative.

Wales manager Steve Geraty put his feet in the line of fire by joining councillors and Christine Chapman AM on the half-hour walk from Penrhiwceiber post office to the neighbouring branch in Perthcelyn.

Councillor Chris Binding said: “It’s good of him to come and see for himself.

“I have to say, I didn’t expect him to turn up. They did come and I hope it has given them an idea of how difficult it is to walk as it is a very steep hill.

“It took us about an hour to walk there and back.”

Councillors feel doubly cheated as the branch was not in the original list of 31 branches named as facing closure last year.

When it was announced that Splott Road, Cardiff, and High Street, Barry, were being reprieved, the Cynon Valley branch was put up for closure in its place.

Another nearby branch at Glyn Gwyn Street, Miskin, was in the first round and closes next week.

Coun Binding said that although the Miskin branch had been surrendered without a fight, few residents in Perthcelyn owned cars and felt aggrieved.

Although it is only 1km to the branch in Penrhiwceiber, the route is on a steep hill and the road is not direct.

Christine Chapman AM said: “Young and old people alike will be challenged by the steepness of the route and also the time it will take as there’s no bus service.”

Mr Geraty declined to comment on his walk.

A Post Office spokesman said: “As part of the public consultation process we are happy to meet with elected representatives, wherever that may be, and listen to their concerns.

“With regard to Perthcelyn, those concerns have been acknowledged and will form part of our considerations after the public consultation ends.”

A sad week looms

Despite knowing for nearly a month that our post office is to close I still can't quite believe it will, even though its final day of business will take place this week.

The following story, which appeared in Friday's Echo, is a very poignant read indeed.

POSTMASTERS across South Wales today spoke of their sorrow and anger as they prepared to close their branches for the final time.

Some 23 of the 29 post offices slated for closure in the region are set to shut their doors next week, one month after their fate was sealed.

One postmaster is holding a wake for his branch the day after it closes.

Graham Holton, 56, who has run the Evansfield Road branch in Llandaff North, Cardiff, for five years said customers were invited to the Royal Exchange pub on Ty Mawr Road at 5.30pm on Thursday.

He said: “The customers aren’t taking it very well at all. Some don’t want to go to Whitchurch and some don’t want to go to Gabalfa because of the threat of the kids.

“What’s sad is that many are just going to have their pensions paid into the bank.”

Colin Cranness, who has run the Swan Street branch in Llantrisant with his wife Lynne for nearly 16 years, said that many of his customers had also decided to stop using the Post Office.

“I’ve seen my life go out of the door in boxes over the last few days,” he said. “We haven’t got very many things left in here now. It’s very sad.”

Campaigners in Llantrisant have continued the fight despite Post Office Ltd’s final decision in January. Several have put pressure on watchdog Postwatch Wales to explain why the body withdrew its objection to the closures at the last minute.

The remaining branches on the closure list will shut their doors in the coming months. The branch at The Graig, Pontypridd, is planning to close at the end of March.

Howells attacks "unprincipled opportunists"

I received a letter from Dr Kim Howells yesterday, today was my earliest opportunity to upload it here.

Dr Howells wrote to me after obtaining a letter he received (dated February 13th, 2008) from Phillipa Wright, National Consultation Manager.

Phillipa's letter is not worth putting on this site. It simply reiterates the reasons Post Office Ltd gave for closing our branch.

Dr Howells' correspondence is, however, worth perusing.

This is what his letter, dated February 18th, said:

Dear Mr Gilheaney

I enclose a copy of an extremely disappointing reply I have received from Post Office Ltd which confirms that all of the seven post offices listed for closure in this constituency are, indeed, to close. I know, from discussions with scores of people across the borough, that they share my anger and frustration at these decisions. I am far from convinced that the Post Office management understand the burden that the closures will create, not only for the sub postmasters and mistresses but also for the elderly, infirm and for local businesses who find the locations of a number of the sub post offices very convenient.

I am sure, in my own mind, that the real reasons for the closures are due to the government having to contain the substantial sums being paid as subsidies to keep the offices open. In these difficult financial times it is a duty, of course, of a government to protect taxpayers' money wherever possible and none of the government's critics on post office closures can say how, exactly, they would find the extra funds to continue with the present levels of subsidy. They are simply name-calling in the hope of winning some votes: unprincipled opportunists without a constructive thought in their heads.

My frustration derives, not from a recognition that government has to take great care with taxpayers' money but that due consideration has not been given by Post Office management to the difficulties that people will have negotiating steep hills and inconvenient routes to reach the nearest alternative post office. I have tried in every way I know how to persuade the authorities that these are very serious considerations but, so far, without success.

I will continue trying. In the meantime, thank you once again for your interest.

Yours sincerely


Dr Kim Howells
Member of Parliament for Pontypridd

"Howells just doesn't care"

Two letters regarding our campaign can be found in this week's edition of the Pontypridd and Llantrisant Observer. Both refer to Dr Kim Howells MP.

One, from Bob Humphreys in Rhydfelin, voiced surprise at how Dr Howells met campaigners from our town because "it's Labour MPs like Dr Howells who have consistently supported Government policies in Parliament."

The other letter, headlined "Howells just doesn't care" was written by Jean Henderson of Heol-y-Soun, Llantrisant.

It reads as follows: "The very strong fight against Post Office closures was taken seriously by the community.

"However, how about Kim Howells who represents Pontypridd but, perhaps, not Llantrisant?

"I believe he already knew the outcome when we went to meet him in the Commons at Westminster. He appeared to give little support to Postwatch, who are supposed to be independent.

"The reason? Labour political expediency of course! Kim Howells had a 20,000 majority of votes in the last election. So why bother?

"The two post offices saved from closure were in the Vale of Glamorgan, where the MP has a tiny majority.

"To add insult to injury the Post Office has been renamed the People's Post Office - how cynical can this Government get? Determined to destroy post offices to 'save money', but willing to spend a vast sum rebranding them and paying lip service to the fact that post offices are valuable to people."

By coincidence I received an e-mail from Dr Howells' office today.

A message, from Christine Raybould, read: "Just to let you know that Dr Howells has received the attached acknowledgement letter from Michele Graves, Executive Correspondence Manager for Post Office Ltd, who has responded on behalf of Allan Leighton, Chair of the Royal Mail Group.

"Dr Howells will let you have sight of the full reply when he receives it."

Plaid AMs write to Leighton

Plaid Cymru Community Development Officer Kelly Davies e-mailed me on Friday.

She told me that "Leanne Wood and Chris Franks have written to Allan Leighton, Chairman of Royal Mail Group, asking if he was involved in the decision making process concerning Llantrisant Post Office and, if not, can he intervene as a matter of urgency with the proposed date of closure being 27th February."

Davidson: "There remains extremely worrying questions"

Jane Davidson, AM for Pontypridd, has circulated a press release in which she expresses her dismay at the letter she received from Eifion Pritchard, Chairman of Postwatch Wales (see entry 'Postwatch respond to Davidson').

Prompted by Mr Pritchard's letter, Jane has written to Post Office Ltd clarifying her concerns and requesting they reconsider their decision to close Llantrisant Post Office.

Below is a transcript of her letter to Steve Geraty, Network Development Manager, Post Office Ltd.

Dear Mr Geraty

Re: Llantrisant Post Office Closure

I have recently received a letter from Eifion Pritchard, Chairman of Postwatch Wales, in response to my letter of 21st January. I enclose copies of these letters for your attention.

I note that Mr Pritchard’s letter states that Post Office Ltd has agreed to:

“Write to local authority and bus company to seek the movement of one of the bus stops to a safer area and also to provide a shelter at the bus stop.
“Liaise with the subpostmaster at the nearest branch in connection with the installation of a ‘combi’ till on the retail side of the business
“To scope possible alternative businesses in the area where stamps can be sold.”

As a result of these undertakings I understand that Postwatch Wales decided that it would no longer continue with its review process. However, I submit that the steps outlined above fall short of adequately dealing with the concerns of those who use Llantrisant Post Office.

The issue of the topography of Llantrisant has been largely ignored by these suggestions. Post office users will still have to negotiate a steep hill if they wish to access a post office on foot, a situation which means that many of Llantrisant’s residents will be unable to access services without use of public transport or cars.

Furthermore, even if a bus stop were relocated (which is by no means a certainty) the cost of the journey would be an additional expense which many may find unaffordable. Although those over 60 years of age should receive free transportation by bus, their trips to the post office will take substantially longer than at present, and may still prove extremely difficult for those people with mobility difficulties.

It is also clear that the issue of parking at the suggested alternative post offices, and at Talbot Green in particular, remains unresolved. I am often contacted by constituents concerned about the extremely high levels of traffic and parking difficulties within Talbot Green, a situation which the closure of Llantrisant Post Office will surely worsen.

Further, although Postwatch’s letter makes reference to a desire to move Llantrisant’s bus stops to a safer area, there remain concerns regarding the position of the bus stop nearest Southgate Post Office. Local councillors inform me that even if the bus stop in Llantrisant were relocated there would still be a tortuous route to the Southgate Post Office when passengers alight, a situation that appears to have been ignored by Post Office Ltd.

Finally, there is no indication that any of the proposed third parties (the local authorities, the bus companies, other sub-postmasters and other local businesses) would be willing or able to carry out the measures suggested by Post Office Ltd. I should be most grateful to hear whether you have received any feedback from any of the parties concerned.

In view of the above, plus the information contained in my previous letters, I again ask that you reconsider your decision to close Llantrisant Post Office, as it is clear that there remain many extremely worrying questions.

I look forward to receiving your full response.

Yours sincerely

Jane Davidson
Assembly Member for Pontypridd

Geraty: "This is not a popularity contest"

I received a letter from Post Office Ltd Network Manager Steve Geraty today, one in which he responded to the open letter, to both him and Mr Huw Roberts, Director Welsh Affairs, Royal Mail Group, I put on this site on Thursday January 24th, 2008.

You may wish to refer to my correspondence (see below) before you read Mr Geraty's reply to each point.

This is what his letter, dated February 4th, 2008, said.

Dear Mr Gilheaney

Thank you for your letter dated January 24th addressed to myself and my colleague Huw Roberts.

I will endeavour to address the points you raise in your letter. However I must stress that Post Office Ltd's decision to close Llantrisant Post Office is final and there is no further appeal procedure.

1. The reference to Llantrisant within the decision document refers to the town and the surrounding area.

2. Every piece of correspondence received during the area public consultation period is read and considered by me as I have overall responsibility for making both proposals and decisions on individual branches. Postwatch also receive copies of correspondence received during public consultation to inform their participation in the decision making process.

As I said many times during the consultation period, this is not a popularity contest. The number of correspondence received or signatories on a petition will not impact on the decision as much as the provision of factual information.

As you can see from the Decision Document, new factual information was presented in relation to two branches which resulted in Post Office Ltd reviewing its decision to close High Street, Barry and Splott Road. While Llantrisant organised a strong campaign there was not enough new evidence presented to withdraw this office from the plan.

3. The regular bus service referred to is number 100 (Veolia Transport Cymru), which runs from the Wheat Sheaf, High Street, every half an hour to Llantrisant Leisure Centre, which is approximately 250 yards from Cross Inn Post Office and Talbot Green Bus Station and number 244 (Stagecoach) which runs every hour to Llantrisant Leisure Centre and Talbot Green Bus Station. I note from my research into local transport in the area that two websites (www.craftgallerywales.com and www.llantrisant.net) both quote regular bus services travelling to and from the town.

4. My team and I visited Llantrisant on a number of occasions during the planning stage and consultation period and work was undertaken to examine local factors, including impact on the immediate local economy. There was no endorsement of Tesco Extra; only recognition of the fact that people need to leave Llantrisant to purchase food supplies, whether or not they choose to shop at that particular retail outlet.

I hope the above clarifies Post Office Ltd's position.

Yours sincerely


Steve Geraty
Network Development Manager
Post Office Ltd
c/o National Consultation Team
FREEPOST CONSULTATION TEAM

I'll study the contents of this letter with Colin and post a response at a later date. A press release I received from Jane Davidson's office will be uploaded later today.

Postwatch letter "a kick in the teeth" for business and elderly

On Friday I spoke to Colin, our Postmaster. We discussed Postwatch Wales' Chairman Eifion Pritchard's response to a letter from Jane Davidson in which she asked why his organisation dropped their support for our post office at the last minute.

After close analysis of Mr Pritchard's letter it once again became depressingly clear how toothless Postwatch Wales have been, how weak they were when presented with a compelling case to support and how they badly let down the very people they claim to champion, the consumer, particularly the elderly customer.

Here Colin outlines in great detail the weaknesses in Mr Pritchard's letter. He also assesses the wider ramifications closure will have on our community.

"The letter does not say when the decision was made or at what level. It's only the last few paragraphs that has anything pertaining to us.

"When Postwatch Wales write about the second stage review they refer to 'a relatively low customer usage', well that's debatable. I don't class 500 plus customers a week as a low usage, not by today's standards.

"The phrase 'relatively low' means we could well be a profitable post office. Unfortunately, of course, Post Office Ltd. won't tell us whether we are or not.

"As for what they write about small businesses, that's a kick in the teeth for them. Postwatch Wales haven't listened to the town's entrepreneurs at all.

"The fact is if business people do decide to travel by car to the nearest post office that will only lead to congestion and make the roads more dangerous.

"The letter makes no mention whatsoever of the elderly or the problems they'll face, it just seems they've given up on them because we've still got the problem of no public transport accessing the old people's complex in Llantrisant.

"They will still have to walk uphill to get a bus, or they'll have to get a taxi. That's (approximately) a £6 return trip out of their pension.

"Assuming the 'combi' tll refers to the Co-op at Cross Inn, that will lead to a major rethink on their shop tills. (A 'combi' till is where customers can access Post Office transactions at the retail counter). Again, who's going to pay for that? Will the Post Office provide sweeteners or will the Co-op stand the cost? To install these designs will mean a major redesign of their counters which are already cluttered.

"Post Office Ltd are rubbing salt in to an already open wound when they suggest finding alternative businesses in the area from where to sell stamps.

"We've got somewhere up here selling stamps now, it's called the post office.

"In one foul swoop they're closing me down and now they're talking about an alternative business to sell stamps for them. Where?

"As for Postwatch Wales, I'm really disappointed with them. Their role is to help us and the consumer, their duty is not to be toothless, to give in to Post Office Ltd.

"If they had reservations, which they clearly did have, they've got the power to say to Post Office Ltd: 'We want this to go further, to Allan Leighton', even if Post Office Ltd don't want that to happen.

"Postwatch Wales keep saying they haven't got a veto, they haven't got power, but they have, they've got the power to refer the decision to the final phase.

"I think Postwatch Wales should have the conviction to go all the way if they feel strongly enough about a particular post office. Pressure's obviously been put on them somewhere but by whom? We're still trying to find that out. It looks like they had the conviction but it's been beaten out of them.

"The fact that three additional points were made in the letter - which were not brought up when it was announced we were to close - underlines that even Post Office Ltd have reservations about the issues Postwatch Wales raised.

"Overall, the letter is pathetic. Postwatch Wales haven't truly listened to a thing we've said.

"The fact is closing the post office means Llantrisant's regenerations plans have taken a big blow; the elderly will suffer and the roads will become more dangerous and congested.

"The closure of this office will put Llantrisant back in time, not into the 21st Century.

"Llantrisant is one of the oldest towns in South Wales. How many towns like us have not got a post office?

"We could go down in history as being the first."

Postwatch respond to Davidson

The site entry "What led to your change of heart?" (see below) contains extracts of a letter Pontypridd AM Jane Davidson sent to Postwatch Wales' Chairman Eifion Pritchard on January 21st.

The letter outlines Ms Davidson's shock at the decision to close our post office and makes reference to Postwatch Wales' perceived capitulation; how they initially backed our branch to the hilt but then suddenly withdrew their support for us at the last minute.

Today I received a copy of Mr Pritchard's response to Ms Davidson's letter (many thanks to Chris Williams in Jane's office for faxing me a copy)

The letter, dated January 30th, makes very interesting reading indeed.

Sadly, it confirms the growing view in our town that Postwatch Wales are a toothless organisation incapable of both loyally pursuing and robustly expressing an argument to its appropriate end.

The letter begins by padding out the procedures followed by Postwatch Wales in its dealings with Post Office Ltd.

It's not until well into page 2, after Postwatch outline the powerful and numerous reasons for maintaining our branch, that the specific reasons for closing it are reached.

Mr Pritchard writes: "...at the second stage of the review process we again argued strongly for the post office to remain open, citing aforementioned evidence.

"However Post Office Ltd set out their position with reference to pertinent local factors and the Government-prescribed access criteria, and made it clear that they would not change their decision to close the branch.

"It was therefore agreed that the review process would not progress and that Post Office Ltd would proceed with the closure.

"Specifically, at the second stage of the review process, Post Office Ltd cited the relatively low customer usage at the branch, and stated that although small businesses would be inconvenienced, as the nearest branch was less than a mile and most business customers drove, this inconvenience was not justification for retaining the branch.

"Post Office Ltd also stated that they had serious concerns over the long term sustainability of the Llantrisant branch, as there were two nearby alternative post offices.

"At the meeting it was agreed Post Office Ltd would:

* Write to the local authority and bus company to seek the movement of one of the bus stops to a safer area and also to provide a shelter at the bus stop.

* Liaise with the subpostmaster at the nearest branch in connection with the installation of a "combi" till on the retail side of the business.

* Scope possible alternative businesses in the area where stamps can be sold.

"I should stress that the decision to proceed with the closure," concludes Mr Pritchard, "was made by Post Office Ltd."

Detailed reaction and analysis of this letter will follow.

"What led to your change of heart?"

Jane Davidson's assistant, Chris Williams kindly sent me copies of letters Jane, AM for Pontypridd, recently sent to Huw Roberts (Director Welsh Affairs, Royal Mail Group), Steve Geraty (Network Development Manager, Post Office Ltd) and Eifion Pritchard (Chairman Postwatch Wales)

The letters detail the dismay we felt at the inadequate reasons given for closing our post office as well as a sense of being bewildered by the behaviour of certain organisations.

In one of the letters (dated January 21st), to Postwatch Wales' Eifion Pritchard, Jane writes of how the closure of Llantrisant post office left her "not only deeply disappointed, but deeply shocked".

She then reiterated the familiar, yet still powerful community, geographical and economy-related arguments that were raised during the campaign to keep our office open.

The letter ends: "The closure of Llantrisant Post Office will leave the community in a very vulnerable position.

"However, it was my understanding that one of Postwatch’s primary considerations in their evaluations of the closures proposed by Post Office Ltd was that communities should not be left in such a state.

"Despite the clear signs that Llantrisant will be put in a very precarious position I have now been informally told by Post Office Ltd that Postwatch has withdrawn its objection to the closure of Llantrisant post office. I feel that both I and my constituents are entitled to know what has led to this change of heart

"I should therefore be most grateful if you could inform me of the basis on which this apparent change of opinion is based."

"Postwatch failed to assert their power"

The controversial decision to close our post office was raised in the Senedd today, during First Minister's Questions, by Plaid Cymru AM Chris Franks (I am very grateful to Plaid's Ioan Bellin for informing me about this)

Here is the exchange between Chris and Rhodri Morgan.

CHRIS FRANKS: In a letter from Downing Street to a constituent regarding Llantrisant post office it said that: 'Allan Leighton, Chairman of Royal Mail, will now personally decide on issues where the Post Office and Postwatch cannot reach agreement.'

As far as the local community is concerned this did not happen in the case of Llantrisant. Postwatch failed to assert their power to refer the case to Allan Leighton.

Would you agree that this shows that the whole consultation process is fatally flawed?

RHODRI MORGAN: Could you send me the details of that because that sounds very interesting and it may be something that everybody will want to avail themselves on in attempting to reduce or combat the proposed closures in their areas...to ensure that Postwatch is encouraged to utilise to the full its ability to put closure directly on appeal to the Chairman of Royal Mail.

Rhodri's response to the information Chris will no doubt send him should be very intriguing indeed.

Review procedure clarified

I sent an e-mail to Huw Roberts, Director Welsh Affairs, Royal Mail Group, yesterday.

I am grateful to Non Tudur Williams, Senior External Relations Manager, Post Office Ltd for responding so swiftly to the question I asked.

The issue I raised was why Allan Leighton, Chairman of the Royal Mail Group, did not have the final say on keeping our post office open.

Here is Non's reply.

Dear Mr Gilheaney

Thank you for the email sent to my colleague, Huw Roberts. I would like to clarify the position with regards to the review procedure.

In relation to finalising decisions regarding branch closure, Post Office Ltd has set up with Postwatch, the consumer body representing customers, a three stage review process for these decisions, with increasing seniority of the respective management teams participating in each stage, culminating in a member of Post Office Ltd's board and the Postwatch Chair (or their appointed deputy).

Furthermore, after stage 3, Allan Leighton, Chairman of Royal Mail Group, will review any unresolved cases at the request of Postwatch. With regards to the proposed closures in Area Plan 1, Cardiff and Glamorgan Valleys a decision was reached between Post Office Ltd and Postwatch prior to this final stage.

If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind regards

Non

Reaction to this letter will follow in the days ahead.

The Downing Street Letter - update

I have sent e-mails to Jane Davidson, Chris Franks, Leanne Wood, Huw Roberts, Steve Geraty, Dr Kim Howells, Postwatch Wales, 10 Downing Street and Mr Allan Leighton (Royal Mail Chairman) regarding The Downing Street Letter (see previous entry)

As soon as I receive replies from the aforementioned I'll inform you straightaway.

It would do no harm if you could voice your concerns on the issue in question, too.

All you have to say is something like: "Downing Street stated, in a letter dated January 3rd, 2008, that the Chairman of the Royal Mail Group, Mr Allan Leighton, should make the final decision in cases where Postwatch and Post Office Ltd could not agree on whether to close a branch.

"That does not appear to have happened in the case of our post office since neither Postwatch Wales or Post Office Ltd made reference to Mr Leighton's involvement at any stage of the process.

"Logic and justice therefore dictates that the decision to close our post office should be suspended, the case for saving our office should be referred to Mr Leighton who should have the final say on the matter."

Here are a few handy e-mail addresses you may wish to use for correspondence purposes: allan.leighton@royalmail.com, huw.roberts@royalmail.com, howellsk@parliament.uk, sally.thomas@postwatch.co.uk

If you would like to write to the person who wrote the Downing Street letter I've referred to, the name and address of the person is: S Caine, Direct Communications Unit, 10 Downing Street, London, SW1A 2AA.

The Downing Street Letter

I received a very interesting e-mail from Colin the Postmaster tonight.

Colin informed me that Community Councillor Allan Matheson, who has done so much in the campaign to keep our post office open, received a letter, dated January 3rd, from 10 Downing Street.

The last section of the letter reads as follows:

"On the 28th November the Post Office announced a further strengthening of the process of reviewing these plans.

"Allan Leighton, the Chairman of the Royal Mail, will now personally decide on issues where the Post Office and Postwatch cannot reach agreement." (my bold type)

We officially know that Postwatch and Post Office Ltd could not agree on whether to keep our post office open.

So did Mr Leighton make the final decision?

It seems unlikely because in such a unique case as this surely we would have been told about his involvement, his verdict and how it was reached.

Instead it appears the decision to shut our branch was made in the same manner as all the other post offices on the closure list.

I deduce this because Postwatch Wales have not mentioned any intervention by Mr Leighton.

And neither have Post Office Ltd.

There's plenty of food for thought in the Downing Street letter. I'll speak to Colin and Allan M about it over the weekend.

An open letter to Messrs Geraty and Roberts

To Steve Geraty, Network Development Manager, Post Office Ltd, c/o National Consultation Team, FREEPOST CONSULTATION TEAM

To Mr Huw Roberts, Royal Mail Group, Director of Welsh Affairs, 3rd Floor, 220 Penarth Road, CARDIFF, CF11 8TA

Dear Steve and Huw

RE: CLOSURE OF LLANTRISANT POST OFFICE

As I am sure you will understand, the people of Llantrisant are extremely disappointed by your decision to close our post office.

I have read the reasons given to justify closure and I am sorry to write that they are both inadequate and an insult to our intelligence.

Your points omit key facts, are dismissively general, show a lack of knowledge of both our town's geography and economy and are, in some cases, laughable.

So I would be grateful if you could inform the people who campaigned so well to save our post office why:

1. The hilltop town of Llantrisant was described as "hilly in parts". I find this description bizarre in the extreme. It reveals a desperate lack of knowledge about our post office's location yet you've claimed, in the past, that Post Office Ltd. were in the area during the consultation phase. Writing that Llantrisant is "hilly in parts" is like saying Snowdonia is steep in places.

2. You write of "feedback" and "some concerns" in your justification of the closure. Could you have the courtesy to state precisely how many letters you received from customers protesting about the closure and also the number of signatures on the petition submitted? Why did you omit these details from your justification for closure?

3. You write of a regular bus service. Please could you be more precise as I do not know of such a service. Could you tell me the times of this "regular" service you claim exists?

4. You write of "consideration to the local economy". Which local economy are you referring to, Talbot Green's? Do you think that the economy of Llantrisant will benefit by your decision to close our post office and your insensitive and wholly inappropriate endorsement of Tesco Extra? How do you think local shop owners will like that?

I look forward to receiving your reply/replies which I will upload on to this site on receipt.

Yours sincerely

John Gilheaney

Note to blog visitors: to read the reasons given for closure see blog entry with that title below.

Postwatch Wales' reply

This afternoon I received a reply to my open letter to Postwatch Wales. I'm happy to print the response, written by Sally Thomas, below and in its entirety.

John,

Thank you for your previous e-mail highlighting the “blog” and apologies for not responding sooner, I understood this to be for information purposes and it did prove very useful in our investigations.

In the case of Llantrisant post office, Postwatch Wales communicated its concerns to Post Office Ltd both during and at the end of public consultation. Postwatch Wales opposed the closure on several grounds – principally topography/terrain and the associated difficulty of accessing alternative post office services. This included both the walking route and routes to and from bus stops. We also raised concerns about the impact on the local economy (particularly local businesses) and the loss of access to cash.

In addition, Postwatch Wales highlighted several other factors such as parking at alternative branches and the number of “open” counter positions at the nearest branch in Cross Inn.

Unfortunately at the end of public consultation both Postwatch Wales and customers were unable to persuade Post Office Ltd to reconsider its proposal to close this branch. Therefore, we initiated the review procedure. However, at the second review, the Post Office Ltd decision prevailed. Postwatch Wales was disappointed to hear that Llantrisant Post Office will close. However, we should point out that this is a Post Office Ltd programme, being carried out after a government decision to close 2,500 post offices, and that Postwatch does not have any powers of veto.

Kind regards

Sally

An open letter to Postwatch Wales

To Suzanne Webb, Regional Executive, Postwatch Wales.

Dear Suzanne

When I set up this website I sent out e-mails to people I thought would be interested in its content. I quickly received replies from most parties contacted.

The only people that failed to respond to my e-mails were Sally Thomas of Postwatch Wales and Dr Kim Howells MP.

Yesterday, after contacting your organisation again, I was belatedly sent a press release regarding the closure of our branch.

This is what it said about the decision to shut down our post office.

Postwatch Wales and Post Office Ltd were unable to reach agreement in relation to Llantrisant Post Office and this was raised to a further stage in the escalation process. At this stage the Post Office Ltd view prevailed and the closure of Llantrisant Post Office will now proceed.

Moreover Postwatch Wales has secured a commitment from Post Office Ltd to undertake improvements at several of the alternative post offices branches including improvements to disabled access and reviewing capacity issues such as opening hours, open counter positions and queuing arrangements.

Despite these words, a substantial amount of local people are baffled by Postwatch Wales' role in the closure of our branch.

So I, and the people of Llantrisant, would be grateful if you would answer the following questions:

1. Is it true you withdrew support for keeping our branch open at the last minute? If so, why?

2. Do you believe it was right to close our post office down?

3. Do you think the explanation for closure given by Post Office Ltd. is fair and thorough?

4. Why do you think Post Office Ltd failed to mention, in its reasons for closure, the petition that was submitted or state how many letters they received from Llantrisant citizens regarding the closure?

5. Can you explain why Post Office Ltd state that the hilltop town of Llantrisant is "hilly in parts"?

I look forward to your reply which I will post on this site on receipt.

Yours sincerely


John Gilheaney

The reasons given for closure

The reasons Post Office Ltd have given for closing our branch were made public today.

This is their rationale.

Post Office® Llantrisant branch

Feedback regarding proposals to close Llantrisant branch highlighted concerns in relation to the local elderly and disabled population as well as the distance and terrain to the alternative branches.

Some concerns were also raised regarding public transport, parking facilities and the ability of neighbouring branches to cope with the additional customers. Further concerns highlighted the possible impact on local businesses and the local community.

Whilst we acknowledge the terrain is hilly in parts, a regular bus service is in operation to both neighbouring branches with the journey taking approximately 5 minutes. Concessionary travel is available enabling people over 60 and those with qualifying disabilities to travel free of charge and the bus company aims to offer low level access to buses where possible.

The capacity of nearby branches to absorb extra customers is one of the factors that Post Office Ltd carefully considers in drawing up its Area Plan proposals. Post Office Ltd has carefully reviewed the capacity and service at the neighbouring branches and is satisfied they can absorb the extra customers which will help ensure their long term viability.

Consideration has also been given to the impact on the local economy and we are satisfied that customers would travel to Talbot Green to access most of their shopping needs where there is a vibrant retail area which includes a Tesco Extra.

Taking all the relevant factors into consideration Post Office Ltd has decided to proceed with the proposal to close the Llantrisant branch.

(For information on other Post Offices in the Cardiff and Glamorgan area please go to the link on the left, Consultation Announcement)

Hmmm...I'm sure people will be interested to read that Llantrisant is "hilly in parts". That's like saying Mount Everest has the odd slope here and there.

What shop owners think of the Tesco Extra endorsement will be very interesting indeed.

And isn't it curious that the petition submitted has not been mentioned, nor has the number of letters Llantrisant citizens wrote?

A full, forensic reaction to the reasons outlined above will follow asap. Please feel free to leave your comments below.

"We haven't been told if we're profitable or not"

You can hear Colin's Radio Wales' interview, which took place this morning, by pasting the following into your website address bar.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_7200000/newsid_7201900/7201932.stm?bw=bb&mp=wm&news=1&bbcws=1

Good Morning Wales

Jenny from Good Morning Wales contacted me this afternoon. Colin will be on the programme tomorrow, with a fellow campaigner, talking about the deplorable decision to close our branch and the problems it will cause.

It's well worth tuning into. I'm told the interview will take place at the post office at approximately 7.30am...best tune in a bit before that to be on the safe side.

"Llantrisant lost its heart today."

The quotes that follow were made this morning by our wonderful Postmaster, Colin Cranness. They sum up the feeling in the town perfectly and extremely powerfully, too.

"They say that today, January 21st, is officially the gloomiest day of the year, I think that's very right.

"The weather says it all out there, I think, because Llantrisant has just lost its heart, it lost its heart today. It's literally been ripped out completely.

"We honestly thought we had a very good case but the people who make the decision obviously didn't listen to all the comments that have gone in.

"Judging by the criteria considered when closing a branch, the decision-makers have not taken into account the fact we are on a hill.

"Good luck to the offices that have survived, but the fact is they're on the flat in a town environment. We are on top of a hill which makes access to the alternative post offices extremely difficult.

"We now have no banking cash facilities within the town, pensioners are going to have to hire taxis to go to alternative offices at a cost of £6 per round trip...be that on the Government's head.

"I don't think the views of the businesses that use the town and this post office have been taken into account.

"Over the years we've built up a good clientele for business and personal banking and I know that those customers do not want to go down - then back up - the hill that leads to Talbot Green.

"We all know the parking problems down there, but they're going to have to get in their car and that will cause more congestion.

"I'd like to go on record and personally thank Jane Davidson and her office for everything they've done, they couldn't have done more. I know that Jane is, like me, absolutely gutted by the decision.

"I'd also like to thank Councillor Glynne Holmes who has done so much during the campaign as has Allan Matheson, my Campaign Manager, he's done more than what's required and for that I'm eternally grateful.

"The Town Council have been brilliant in fact everybody that's written, visited this website and who went on the trip to London, I thank.

"After all we've done it makes one wonder if those going through the consultation phase in Gwent should bother protesting because the decision on their offices may already be done and dusted.

"The biggest losers are the people of Llantrisant, I can't stress that enough.

"We're just absolutely gutted it hasn't gone our way."

(Further quotes from Glynne, Allan, Carol and Jenny will be uploaded here, in entries below, later today)

"This decision will cost me £2,500 a year."

The impact our post office's closure will have on business could spell disaster for our town's entrepreneurs.

Here Jenny Rolfe, Managing Director of the Model House, Llantrisant, outlines the problems the twelve businesses contained in the building will have in the wake of Post Office Ltd.'s decision.

"My first reaction to the news our branch was closing was: 'God, that really is going to cause us great problems'

"Because we are a funded organisation we have tight budgets. I have an annual postage budget of £3,000 which may be small amount to some but it's a large percentage of our turnover.

"Say, for example, that we host an exhibition like the Christmas one, which had 50 or 60 makers in that show.

"About 90% of items are jewellery or textiles - small parcels that can go through the post office.

"Come the end of the show we've got to get those items back, most by special delivery. We do them in batches, pay by cheque at the post office, it's proximity is absolutely invaluable.

"To go to the alternative post office in Southgate means someone has to hop into a car (which is bad for the environment) and it obviously adds to business costs too.

"Because of our location it's so difficult to get to other post offices, the roads are unsafe, it's hard enough to get to them if you're able-bodied. You take your life in your hands.

"There are twelve businesses in this one building alone and they will be greatly disrupted by the decision because the post office is generally the hub of any village or town I've lived in, it's such a vital asset.

"I would estimate that this closure will add £100 a fortnight to costs, which is £2,500 a year, money I do not have.

"I don't think the people in charge have read or listened to the arguments."

"We've lost a lifeline"

The strength of feeling of regular customers at our post office in Swan Street was typified by a very nice lady called Carol (she didn't wish to give her surname).

Carol works with the disabled in Barry but she drove from work, back to Llantrisant, to be at the meeting this morning.

This is what she said.

"I'm paying back time in lieu by travelling from my job in Barry to be here today because I think the post office is such a vital resource.

"More resources should be coming to Llantrisant, not less, and the post office, through Colin, is a lifeline, he's the man who can. I've had difficult times recently and I don't know how I'd have managed without him, he's helped me deal with so much bureaucracy.

"To me the decision to close this branch sort of symbolises the way our values in society have changed.

"I was numb when I heard the news the post office was to close because the situation seemed so hopeful.

"I don't understand why our branch hasn't been reviewed, it doesn't seem fair. The people who made the decision have obviously not gone up and down our hill.

"The post office is such a lifeline for elderly people, children use it all the time, too...this is such a lost opportunity because Llantrisant should be growing."

"A vast body blow to our regeneration plans"

The two men who, outside of Colin, have done the most to keep our post office open are Councillor Glynne Holmes and Community Councillor Allan Matheson.

I spoke to them both this morning and they were obviously upset and angry about the decision and the way it's been made.

Both men made very powerful points as you will see.

Here Allan (Glynne's quotes will follow later) expresses his disappointment at the decision and answers the big question on all our lips at the moment: what more can we do?

"In terms of things we can still do we'll have to wait to hear the official announcement and the reasons given for closure.

"One of the things we can do is examine the reasons given. I suspect they won't comply and meet the Government's criteria to keep our post office open.

"I can't understand why Postwatch changed its position from originally supporting the review of this branch.

"I will write to Postwatch. I will also write to the House of Commons because I understand, from the meeting we had with Kim Howells last week, that a Parliamentary Select Committee is going to look at the whole process of closure and consultation, perhaps we can put a bit of pressure on there.

"The problem with all this, of course, is the timetable. Colin will be closing the post office sometime between mid and late February and that will be disastrous for people in the village.

"I live in Cross Inn but it's easier for me to use this post office than it is to use the one in Southgate and Talbot Green!

"I think the decision is deplorable. The way Colin and Lynne have been treated has been deplorable too.

"They've been loyal servants to the Post Office for many years then one day they get a letter saying they have to close.

"Unfortunately the Post Office also seems to use the media to convey the bad news, maybe to take the attention away from them a bit.

"One of the things that most disappoints me is that if Postwatch had not agreed with Post Office Ltd then the matter would have at least gone on to the Chairman of Post Office Ltd. Allan Leighton and that would have given us another opportunity to put the case strongly, but we seem to have been denied that as well.

"We're all bitterly disappointed by the decision. We can't understand the rationale behind why this post office has to close.

"I wonder, when they called it the People's Post Office, which people they meant, it certainly wasn't the people in Llantrisant."

For his part, Councillor Holmes spoke off the damage the decision will do to the town's economy. He also praised the work of Jane Davidson AM and contrasted it with the efforts of Dr Kim Howells MP.

"When I heard the news on Friday I felt like going into a corner and crying, that's how angry I felt.

"This decision is going to affect the regeneration of Llantrisant programme which Rhondda Cynon Taf started and I'm proud to say I'm part of.

"Llantrisant has been neglected for many years, we're trying to push it forward, but this is a vast body blow.

"To be honest, when we went to the House of Commons last week I had a feeling that the decision had already been made and I wasn't the only one, I feel we've been badly let down by the Westminster Government.

"As I said to the Observer reporter this morning: 'Judas Iscariot could not have done a better job.'

"Jane Davidson has been excellent, she went beyond the call of duty as far as I'm concerned. She's very caring and is in the hearts of the people of Llantrisant.

"She's a rare breed in politicians, she showed that by getting up so early last Wednesday to see us off to Westminster.

"Where Kim Howells is concerned, I felt that he was holding back. I'm reminded of that old saying: 'Some politicians are akin to bananas, they start off green, turn yellow and are seldom straight.'

"There's a dire need for our post office to remain in Llantrisant for the reasons already stated.

"I'm devastated."

The Politician's View: Why did Postwatch withdraw their support?

Plaid AM Leanne Wood was at our post office this morning. Like many she was very surprised by the the decision to close our branch.

She also said she was baffled why Postwatch Wales, who recommended that Llantrisant post office be one of four reviewed before closure, apparently withdrew their support for us in our time of need.

Here's what Leanne said this morning:

"I was very surprised when I heard the decision because the campaign had been so strong and Postwatch's support had been very significant.

"I really believed this would be one of the post offices that would be saved so the news came as a bit of a shock.

"As I understand it, Postwatch changed their position and I don't understand why that happened. So I will be going back to my office today, I will try to establish why they withdrew their support at the last minute.

"It's difficult to know what more we can do now because this is a final decision and as far as I'm aware there is no avenue for appeal, but that's something I will look at again because clearly this is a post office that does need saving.

"If I were in your shoes I'd just say that the people of Llantrisant have run an excellent campaign and the information they've put together can be shared with other people.

"This is only one phase in the latest phase of post office closures, there are loads more to come and there are going to be communities who'll want a campaign to save their post office so I think you could give a lot of information that people can learn from.

"Post offices have only got a chance of being saved if people come together and put their arguments as strongly as they possibly can.

"The downside of this is that the people of Llantrisant have run one of the best campaigns I've seen and you haven't managed to keep your post office open, so that will be a blow to everybody now.

"I'm really sorry the campaign hasn't given you a better result."

Reaction

"Wow!"

That was the reaction of the Echo photographer who arrived at our post office this morning.

His gasp was prompted by the great turn out of Llantrisant folk who braved the appalling weather conditions and crammed into our branch to make their feelings known about its proposed closure.

I spoke to Colin, the Postmaster, Leanne Wood AM, Councillor Glynne Holmes, Community Councillor Allan Matheson as well as a few customers...their views on the appalling decision that's been made will be uploaded here during the course of the day...

Once again, Journalists/Politicians/Community-lovers who wish to use the quotes that follow (in support of our campaign) are very welcome to do so.

"I am deeply shocked by this decision"

This is how the Echo have covered the news that our post office is due to close...

ONE of the most popular South Wales branches on the Post Office’s hit list WILL definitely close, it has been revealed.

Llantrisant post office’s fate will be officially announced on Tuesday but the Echo has learned that residents’ fight to save it has been in vain.

Pontypridd AM Jane Davidson said Post Office chiefs had told her that the Swan Street branch, run for 15 years by Colin Cranness and his wife Lynne, would close.

Assembly climate change minister Ms Davidson said: “I am not only deeply disappointed, I am deeply shocked by this decision.

“I came up this morning to see the postmaster and all the time I have been here the post office has been regularly used.”

She said the post office was at the heart of life in Llantrisant.

As reported in the Echo yesterday, two post offices – Splott Road, Cardiff, and High Street, Barry – will be given a reprieve when the Post Office announces the results of its consultation on Tuesday.

The future now looks bleak for the remaining 29 branches on the region’s closure proposals but residents of Llantrisant had hoped that their hard-fought campaign would see them through.

As part of their fight, nearly 40 residents travelled up to London on Wednesday to see Pontypridd MP Kim Howells and present him with a portrait of “hilly Llantrisant” by a local artist.

Speaking immediately after she returned from London, Mrs Cranness told the Echo that they would fight to the bitter end to save the branch. She said the support of residents had been “wonderful”.

“So many letters have been sent off,” she said.

Postmasters have now been told of the decisions affecting their branch and asked not to speak to the press until the official announcement.

Resident John Gilheaney, who has set up a website, http://save llantrisantpostoffice.blogspot.com, said: “This is a huge blow to the community of Llantrisant, particularly for the elderly and for business people in the town. I feel sorry for Colin and Lynne, who have run our post office so well for so long.”

david.james@mediawales.co.uk

It feels so unjust

I received a phone call at approx 12.30pm yesterday from someone who had it on good authority that our post office was going to close.

I hoped that the unofficial comment the caller passed on was not true but as the afternoon progressed and I spoke to fellow journalists it became clear that our branch was not one of the few that's been saved.

Obviously the news is hugely disappointing. It's a shock too, particularly after Postwatch Wales recommended that the case of our branch be reviewed.

I've spoken to Colin, he says the news has yet to fully sink in. To me it feels like an injustice, a very poor decision indeed.

Although the official announcement is going to be made on Tuesday there's little point denying what we in Llantrisant already know.

Perhaps the best thing we can all do is digest the news this weekend, turn out in fine number on Monday morning (see previous entry), air our feelings and ask ourselves if there's anything we can still do to keep the branch open.

News update/Monday meeting

There was much rumour and speculation today but no official announcement about the fate of our post office which was frustrating given the way news about two branches (see previous entry) leaked out.

I saw Colin, the Post Master, late this afternoon, we agreed to talk again tomorrow when today's developments are digested.

It was a busy day. Plaid Cymru AM Chris Franks and David James from the Echo were in touch. They will be at our Post Office on Monday from 10am approx.

Opinion will be canvassed, a photographer will be there too so the more people who turn up to express their views the better.

The official announcement will be made on Tuesday.

Splott and Barry Post Office saved...

...but no official news on ours or the other 29 offices on the closure list as yet.

For the full story on how the branches in Splott Road, Splott and the High Street in Barry were reprieved - congratulations to you both! - please go to: http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/cardiff-news/2008/01/18/it-s-a-victory-for-common-sense-91466-20365862/

There you will read a story by the South Wales Echo's David James.

I'll upload the story here tomorrow but since the Echo are leading the coverage on this issue it's only fair I guide you to their site in the first instance.

Picture request

Could anyone that took pictures yesterday please get in touch asap? Press articles on the trip may be written shortly and the pix I took are OK at best. Better versions would be appreciated.

Thank you.

"I've been involved in some vociferous rows about this I can tell you."

Details of our meeting with Kim Howells today...many thanks to Tove Oliver for sending the committee room pic

We met Dr Howells after Prime Minister's questions, he was very welcoming indeed. He took us to Committee Room 12 of the House of Commons and, following the meeting, which lasted half-an-hour, he took us on a mini tour of the House, filling us in on parts of its history.

On reflection, after reading the quotes that follow, I don't think anyone could have asked for much more from Dr Howells today, we thank him again for allowing us to visit the House to make our case.

He began the meeting by reading a letter, dated January 7th, from Pat McFadden of The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.

The letter stated that closing post offices is not popular but they are being used more infrequently by the public, that very large sums of money are being lost each week as a consequence (for details on the sums involved I suggest you watch The Politics Show video on this site which goes into detail on these matters).

It also stated that the Government is keen to maintain a national post office network and that it recognises the important social and economic role of post offices, particularly in rural and deprived urban communities.

Dr Howells said that the point he tried to make in his formal submission to the consultation was that in areas like Pontypridd the topography is not typical of many areas in the UK.

He illustrated this by saying the difference between the lowest street that's served by his post office in Craigwen, and the branch, which is just 600 yards away, is 300 feet.

"For a fit person that can be quite a strain but for somebody who is frail, disabled or very elderly it's an impossible 300 feet," he said.

"I was talking to Paul Murphy about this last night and he has exactly the same problem at his constituency in Torfaen. He says there will be a five mile gap to the nearest post office to the north or to the south of that valley if his office goes.

"So the point that we've been trying to make, as part of this consultation, is that it's not simply the proximity of the post offices, it's the difficulty people have in getting there, on foot or even by car because parking is not always easy."

Dr Howells said it remains to be seen what the consultation result will be, but he said he found the recent response from Postwatch Wales, which called for a review of four post offices (including ours) earmarked for closure as "quite encouraging."

However, he added that: "I don't take this as some kind of confirmation that Llantrisant will stay open. It is absolutely vital that the pressure is still applied."

At this point Councillor Holmes made a very passionate speech about why the post office should be saved.

Glynne also presented Dr Howells with a picture of Llantrisant, drawn by a local artist, and to be passed on to the Prime Minister so as to illustrate the hilly nature of our town (I will upload Glynne's speech later this week, with details of the artist, Rob Parslow, when I have more time).

Dr Howells then kindly took some questions from us. Below I have summarised what he said, and, for simplicity, grouped together the quotes he made on the broad issues raised.

ON HOW TO CAMPAIGN BEYOND THE CONSULTATION PHASE: "The tactics you use are up to you as an action group but I think of all the seven post offices I've been trying to save I think you've had by far the most vigorous campaign.

"It's the only organised campaign that I know of for a start. I've had lots of letters from other post offices although some have sadly sent no letters at all.

"But I'm not sure you can do more than you have done really. I think that when they make the announcement then maybe in the run-up to that it might be an idea to be visible somewhere.

"My own observation is that I don't think the public like civil disobedience as much as they did 20 years ago.

"I've been involved in some pretty vociferous rows about this I can tell you and people argue that I should be doing more important things...so you've got another group who couldn't care less about what's happening to the post office.

"I think Postwatch's response shows the impact your campaign has made has produced results. I'm encouraged that Postwatch has identified Llantrisant as one of just four in the whole of Cardiff and the Glamorgan valleys area for review, that's pretty amazing and a direct result of the pressure you've put on in all sorts of ways."

ON THE FACT THAT PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO USE THE POST OFFICE TO PAY CAR TAX OR THEIR TV LICENCE ANYMORE: "With respect I understand that argument but we don't live in that society anymore, you can't turn back the clock. There's much more choice around now and people like choice. For example I feel deeply uneasy at the way the supermarkets are killing off parts of our villages - but people like supermarkets.

"I would very much like to see more people use post offices and I'm very sorry that people these days tend to go to other places, you can buy stamps almost everywhere now.

"But there are people who like using the post office. There are some people, like my mum in the Aberdare valley, who like going to the post office to get her pension, it's a very important part of her life, her social life, and it worries me that aspects like this are not being given an adequate airing. We'll see about that. One of the good things that's happened is that the Select Committee that deals with the Department for Business and Enterprise has decided to look at the consultation itself.

"They asked me for a response - and Ministers are not supposed to respond to these things - so I wrote them a very short letter which you might find interesting."

Here Dr Howells read out the letter which stated that, like his constituents, he was not happy with the consultation process. He described the process, in the letter, as "questionable".

ON THE EFFECT ON SMALL BUSINESSES (made in response to a mum who said her daughter had written to Post Office Ltd. worried about her business, one that employs thirteen people): "If she's written to the Post Office about what you say, that's the most powerful argument anyone can make.

"This is a very busy post office and it seems to me that what they've done here is make an across the board decision and that's the fatal mistake it seems to me. Llantrisant is an area of growth, not decline, and what really worries me about the future is if young people get out of the habit, or don't know about using the post office, they never will use it.

"They bank online, they send e-mails to each other and not letters...the post office is a place that makes society more cohesive.

"I think it's absolutely vital that the people who make the decision understand that details matter and that's what worries me...in the letter I wrote to the Select Committee I said I was very worried that the nature of what is going to happen isn't properly taken into account in the decision making.

"You can understand the economics of the thing but you've also got to understand the social details."

The question and answer session ended on a humorous note when one lady asked Dr Howells if the people who will make the decision on closing or retaining our post office were aware of the geography of Llantrisant. With a nod to Councillor Holmes' highly detailed speech Dr Howells said...

ON THE GEOGRAPHY OF LLANTRISANT: "Are they aware of the geography? I think they are now! To point one of a metre!"

"Good luck, good speed and let's win!"

Just back from Westminster after a group of approximately 30 passionate Llantrisant citizens, all desperate to keep our post office open, had a fine day indeed.

A big thank you for the smooth running of today must go to Councillor Glynne Holmes for organising the trip and also for putting the case to Kim so passionately.

We left the Bull Ring at 7am this morn, sent on our way by a rousing speech from Jane Davidson AM, a mighty achievement at such a tender hour!

Copies of information Jane has sent to concerned residents plus all the letters she had from Postwatch and the Post Office were distributed.

Then she said this: "Now I think we've got a very, very good chance of saving this particular post office because not only do you have a fantastic Post Master and Mistress, but you have demonstrated you use it.

"We want to make sure that everybody understands that this post office is used not only by local residents for their personal business but it's used by people to make sure that the local economy of Llantrisant is given a strong boost by its support for local businesses as well.

"You're going to go and make that strong case in London today, I wish you all the best, you've got the Observer with you - imagine having a reporter to yourselves for the whole day! - so good luck and good speed and let's win!"

Quotes from Dr Howells to follow later...

Well said, Jack!

So far we've heard the views of business and the older generation, now it's time to let youth have its say and, where the young are concerned, there's no better person to speak to than Jack Penberthy.

A few months ago Jack, an 11-year-old pupil at Y Pant Comprehensive School, produced a project inspired by our post office in Swan Street.

Here Jack explains how he came up with the idea and what the post office means to him and his fellow citizens in the town.

"I started the project late last year, it was for a geography report which asked us about something that was changing in our local area, to save something that we need, so I chose our post office.

"I took a picture of the post office and notes from Colin (the Post Master) and then typed his quotes on to the computer.

"I went to the post office with my dad (David) and asked questions like: 'Who uses it?' Colin told me that everybody does, he mentioned people like e-bay sellers, old people for their pension and the Model House for sending packages.

"I learnt that if the post office closes old people will have to walk down to the one by Southgate. It's very hard to walk down there because there's a lot of traffic and there's only three buses that go there, the last one leaves at one o' clock. It's not that good a service so people will have a hard time.

"Others will have problems because they'll have to use their cars instead of walking and the roads will get busier. There'll be a lot of traffic and pollution.

"If I could talk to the people who want to close it down I'd tell them it's hard for us to get places because we are on a hill and old people will find it hard to get to the post office because the bus service does not stop at the old people's home.

"My dad says it's fairly easy to get to the post office we've got now even though the roads are quite busy. But to go to the one down in Southgate is hard because the pavement does not run all the way."

"The Government should change the rules"

There was a very interesting interview on Radio Wales this morning featuring the Tory MP for Monmouth, David Davies.

He was speaking about the proposed closures, announced today, of 25 post offices in the south east of Wales. I think you'll agree his comments are applicable to branches throughout the land.

The interview is well worth a listen. To hear it copy and paste the web address below into your address bar.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_7180000/newsid_7188800/7188875.stm?bw=bb&mp=wm&news=1&bbcws=1

The Big Issue

Many thanks to Greg Lewis for writing about our campaign in this week's edition of The Big Issue.

Greg is one of the finest Journalists we have in Wales (and beyond!) so his words mean a lot.

His blog is called What Is Wales And What Is It For? I've included it in the links section, I recommend you give it a visit.

Here's The Big Issue piece in full.

They call it the tyranny of numbers – the way figures and statistics dominate our lives.

If auditors and bean counters can't get the columns to add up, jobs go, services go, a bit of life is shaved off.

Well, some people won't accept it.

Take post office closures.

Campaigns have sprung up all over by folk who recognise the central role their post office plays in their town.

One such community is Llantrisant where a closure would have a great effect on many older residents.

A Journalist in the town has created a blog to support the threatened post office.

He's using a modern medium but the work is pure old-style journalism.

"Llantrisant is an historic town and everything in Llantrisant has died and gone," says one resident given voice on the site.

"The post office means a lot to me, I use it nearly every day. I meet all my friends here, I get my pension, I do my banking, post letters and parcels too."

The blog gets to the heart of what it means to be part of a community.

Not something that can be measured by profit, turnover or footfall.

The quotes that make the case

This website is all about voices and what follows, ahead of what will be a busy and decisive week, is a round-up of some of the best quotes on this site.

The following will give anyone new to the Save Llantrisant Post Office campaign a very good indication of the strength of feeling both in the town and beyond.

I think you'll agree that the views expressed below augment and make the argument for keeping our post office open both compelling and, most importantly, right.

"Say it snows up here - how are we going to get to these other places? It's not fair. There are more old people up here than young ones, the threat of closure makes me bloody mad." Gwyn Rees, 80, High Street, Llantrisant.

"I use the post office every Monday. I've been using it for ten years. If this one closes I'd have to get a taxi to go to another post office and that would cost me £4." Stroke victim Mark Mortimer, London House, Llantrisant.

"The post office is a service which is paid for by taxes for the convenience of the people. It's not supposed to be a profit-making business at all no more than any of the other services, like the health service." Creighton Lewis, Llantrisant resident and Advisor to the National Public Health Service.

"It's absurd that they are planning these closures at the same time as the Royal Mail Chief Executive is to get an enormous bonus taking his total salary to £1.3 million a year." Leanne Wood AM, Plaid Cymru

"I feel sorry for the pensioners I do, because it's all hill in Llantrisant." Rita Howells, Heol Gwynno.

"I'm disgusted a Labour government is doing this because at the end of the day they own 51% of it, don't they? I think it's terrible." Michael Welsh, Gwaunruperra, Llantrisant

"There are no pedestrian crossings en route to the post offices people (especially the elderly) would have to use if Llantrisant post office closed." Colin Williams, Operations Director of local business n-ergy.

"The post office is the heart of our town, always has been, always will be." Vivian Holloway, Dan Caerlan, Llantrisant.

"I find it incredibly difficult to accept the proposed closure of Llantrisant Post Office and, given its incongruence with the Llantrisant Old Town Regeneration Strategy, must insist on offering my support to defending this branch." Jane Davidson AM.

"Llantrisant is an historic town and everything in Llantrisant has died and gone, it's all gone down to Talbot Green and Penygawsi. The post office means a lot to me, I use it nearly every day. I meet all my friends here, I get my pension, I do my banking, post letters and parcels too." Violet Doster, Dan Y Felin.

"When I visited Llantrisant Post Office it was clear that it would be hugely irresponsible to withdraw this facility," Plaid Cymru AM Chris Franks, South Wales Central.

"We try and help everybody," Colin Cranness, Llantrisant's Post Master.

In case you missed it...

...you should be able to view The Politics Show feature on our post office if you cut and paste the following link into your website address bar.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/player/nol/newsid_7020000/newsid_7026700?redirect=7026734.stm&news=1&nbram=1&bbram=1

The feature is towards the end of the programme at approximately 22 minutes.

I'd be very interested to hear what people thought of it.

For my part, although Chris Franks and Jane Davidson made some pertinent, powerful, albeit brief points, I found it bizarre that not a single customer - the post office's lifeblood - was featured.

I've interviewed a number of town citizens and the passion they have for their post office is wonderful. It's a shame it wasn't conveyed in the programme...at least some of their views can be read on this site.

POSTSCRIPT: I've been told that the post office feature was going to be covered in more depth but the Peter Hain story took precedence. Oh well, that's the way it goes sometimes.