Radwinter Post Office will temporarily close after business on the 26^th June 2007. However, an eleventh hour applicant for the position of Postmistress has come forwarded and it is hoped that it will reopen before the end of July.

Radwinter Post Office

Walden Road, Radwinter, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB10 2SN

(Telephone: 01799 599 696)

 Post Office opening hours

 Mail Collection Times

DISABLED ACCESS

Customers experiencing difficulty gaining access to the Post Office should call from the door for assistance and the postmaster will assist you to enter or serve you at the door. Alternatively, feel free to make a phone call advising of anticipated time of arrival and the postmaster will attend to your needs at your car or taxi.

A number of aids are available such as wheelchair access ramps, magnifiers and a portable hearing loop unit. Please telephone or ask at the counter if you require use of these items.

Unfortunately, due to the historic status of the village hall and adjoining buildings, implementing and obtaining permission for permanent easier access arrangements is a problem. The Parish Council continues to keep this matter under review.

Services available at Radwinter Post Office

 All Post Office services: (except guaranteed Parcelforce items, Vehicle Excise and Driving Licences, Passport checking, Data post and Moneygrams).

Foreign currency and Travellers cheques available subject to four working days notice.

Banking facilities for deposits and withdrawals on personal accounts with Barclays, Lloyds/TSB, Co-Op, Nationwide Flex account, Alliance and Leicester, Clydesdale, Bank of Ireland, Smile, Cahoot, and Giro Banks.

Transcash bill payments, some of which are subject to a fee (See your payment slip to see if fee applicable).

Mobile E top ups.

TV Licensing and Fishing Licences.

Airmail letters, Standard and Gift Postal Orders, National Savings Investments,

Bulk order postage and savings stamps, etc.

A selection of stationery and packaging items, cans of soft drinks, Radwinter souvenirs, Books about Radwinter, Greetings cards, Lamp bulbs, and other items from time to time on sale at modest prices as well as the free Walden Local newspapers.

Black and white Photocopying facilities (Size A4 &A3) available during opening hours - 6p per copy.

Cheques, Credit and Debit Cards acceptable in payment for purchases

(Credit cards not accepted for Monetary items i.e.: Currency, Postal Orders etc.)  

History

Radwinter has enjoyed the services of a Post Office since the middle of the nineteenth century. There have been many locations over the years but always within fifty metres of the church. A Telegraph Office was added to the Post Office on the 18^th April 1894 and like the present day telephone exchange served the Parishes of Radwinter, Wimbish, Hempstead, and The Sampfords.

In the 1990’s, as well as the closing of Post Offices in Hempstead and Wimbish, both the shops in Radwinter closed as did two of the village’s three pubs. Radwinter Post Office which was at that time, housed in one of the shops, was saved by the ingenuity of the Parish Council, who moved it to the unused reading room at the southern end of the Village hall. Although very cramped, especially for the Postmistress, Mrs.June Tupper, behind the counter, the Office continued in this format until the refurbishment of the Village hall, when it doubled to the size it is today, by extending into the old dispensary next door which had for some years been used as a storeroom at the back of the hall stage.

 The Future?

With the Parish Council providing premises and power, the future would appear to be secure, but unfortunately there are two clouds looming on the horizon.

Firstly, it is anticipated that Post Office Limited may well be closing a substantial number of rural offices in 2007 as the government is showing a reluctance to continue the present subsidy to Post Office Ltd., in support of keeping rural offices open. Whilst Radwinter P.O. has a greater turnover than many offices, it is doubtful if it runs at a profit, although Post Office Ltd cannot provide precise figures.

Growth in turnover was not helped by the Department of Work and Pensions ceasing to pay Pensions and Benefits through Post Offices in 2005. Post Office Ltd came up with the Post Office Account for these payments to be paid into, but the DWP did its best to discourage use of this facility, preferring clients to open high street bank accounts. In 2006, the DWP are writing to clients again requesting them to use banks and if their Bank account details are already known, transferring payments without choice. They have declared they will not make payments to a Post Office account after 2010.

Tedious as the chant of "use it, or lose it" may have become, it is as relevant today as it ever has been. Residents of Radwinter and Hempstead are very conscious of the situation and despite great inconvenience to themselves, some use Radwinter Post Office, even if it means a detour on their route or delaying postings of parcels etc., until a day when the office is open. Their loyalty and support is greatly appreciated as closure of the office will cause difficulties to residents without transport and others who for health reasons are unable to travel to other Post Offices.

In an endeavour to encourage new customers, a wider range of stationery, cards and soft drinks are being sold, but sadly such sales do not help, unless Post Office services are also taken up.

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