We get quite a few calls at the post office from people wanting to know what's happened to their post. The exact nature of these varies considerably, but a common theme is 'we didn't get our post until after lunch - whatever happened to morning deliveries?'. I thought it might help to explain how the mail is delivered in the Coltishall area.

We have five post rounds operating out of this office - or four and a half to be more exact: three rounds delivered by van and the other two by bike. Every morning four of the posties start work at 5.15 when the Royal Mail truck arrives from Norwich. The pile of mail (which often overflows out of the small sorting office into the yard) first has to be sorted into the rounds, and then sorted into the right delivery order. This usually takes until sometime between 7am and 8am when they can start their delivery rounds. The fifth postie starts work at 9am and delivers the 'half' round in Coltishall. Whilst in most cases the deliveries are complete by about 1pm, sometimes if there is a particularly heavy load of mail or some delay (such as a van breakdown or a puncture) it may be as late as 3pm before they finish.

Another change in recent years is that postmen and women now work a five day week rather than six days as in the past. Each postie has a day off during the week, with an extra person who covers for the days off. This means that most of the posties need to know at least two or three different rounds, and so may not know some of the details (such as knowing that you like packages to be left in the garden shed) as well as the regular person.

The posties have a tremendously difficult job in rural areas and one way we can all help them is to ensure that the name or number (or both) of our houses is clearly displayed. This is particularly important when we have substitutes in to cover for sickness and holiday.

Our new opening hours seem to be popular and quite a few people have been taking advantage of the quieter time between 1pm and 2pm. For anyone who missed the notice last month we are now open 9am - 5.30pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and 9am - 4.30pm on a Wednesday. Saturday opening is 9am - 1pm.

I have just had a delivery in the shop of some delicious hand pressed apple juice from a farm near Beccles. It is pasteurised for long life, but has absolutely no additives. It comes in a variety of traditional English apple varieties, so you can choose your favourite, and is available in 1 litre or individual sizes.

Steve Haines Subpostmaster
Email: steve@unilake.co.uk