CAMPAIGNS across Huntingdonshire to safeguard post office services in seven threatened villages have entered their second month. Post offices in Catworth, Earith, Great Gidding, Great Gransden, Great Stukeley, Holme and Ramsey St Mary s have all been ea

CAMPAIGNS across Huntingdonshire to safeguard post office services in seven threatened villages have entered their second month.

Post offices in Catworth, Earith, Great Gidding, Great Gransden, Great Stukeley, Holme and Ramsey St Mary's have all been earmarked for closure.

A consultation period for residents to make their views known to Post Office Ltd began on July 8, and ends on August 26.

In Great Stukeley [bold], the focus is on securing a mobile post office service, as none has been proposed by Post Office Ltd. The branch has been run by postmaster Alec Snitch from his own home for 16 years.

Despite having high-profile customers in former Prime Minister Sir John Major and his wife Norma, the branch looks set to close.

Parish council chairman Mike Newman said: "Our main argument is that if the post office must close, we need a mobile service. Vans going to north-west Huntingdonshire will have to pass through Stukeley - so why not stop here? Even if it were a six-month trial it would give us a chance."

Also this week, campaigners in Great Gidding [bold] have been counting footfall at the branch in a bid to show Post Office Ltd that the branch is well-used.

nLast week (July 30) we reported that Holme parish council was planning to rent out the site of the post office in the village. We would like to point out that this is incorrect as the post office is owned by the postmaster, not the parish council.

In addition, the shop at the Holme post office will remain open irrespective of what happens to the branch through the consultation period. We apologise for the error.