Sir - The proposed closure of local post offices in Iffley and other villages would be a tragedy for elderly people.
The Iffley branch, open five mornings a week, is part of the village shop and enjoys a steady stream of business, particularly from elderly residents.
For my parents, typical of this group, the next nearest branch, over half-a-mile away, is too far for them to walk to, and the nearest bus stop is almost the same distance. It is ironic that the post office letter to customers highlights the disabled access of this nearby branch', when the 0.8 miles along varied terrain' makes it off-limits to anyone of reduced mobility without a car. The post office is a significant draw for Iffley's community shop, and if it were to close, this would almost inevitably come under threat. Run by volunteers, the store sells all the basics, along with locally sourced meat, cakes and greetings cards. It is the hub of the village, a vehicle for the elusive community spirit that governments try so hard to foster.
Examples I have seen include people helping each other back home with their shopping, and someone finding a chair for a 90-year-old after her morning walk to buy bread. Such neighbourly contact and kindness is difficult to achieve when people have retreated to their houses and their shopping is delivered by relatives or (for those with Internet access and the necessary persistence) big supermarket vans. Is this the way we want our communities to go?
With our supposed recognition of the needs and rights of elderly people, the value of local communities and the need to reduce our dependence on cars, we must do all we can to stop these closures.
Jo Errey, Iffley Fields, Oxford
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