Following its temporary closure after the sad death of Vanessa Smith in September 2003, the Shawford sub Post Office has re-opened. Cecilia Thompson is there twice a week: Mondays and Thursdays from 2pm to 5pm. [Extract from the CASCA report in the January 2004 magazine]
District Councillor Charlotte Bailey reported that plans are progressing well in respect of opening a part time Post Office in the village of Compton. It is planned that Post Office facilities will be available in the Scout Hut on Friday mornings. This facility is to be provided by Vanessa Smith who also runs the part time Post Office in Shawford Parish Hall.
Cllr. Mrs Jean Millar advised the meeting that there is interest in opening a part time Post Office in Compton Village, possibly one morning per week. District Councillor Charlotte Bailey has been in communication with the Post Office authorities who advised her that they are keen to re-open a Post Office facility in the Village if they can find someone to take on the task and find a suitable location. Charlotte Bailey will be pursuing the matter and will establish how great the need is to see if a stronger initiative should be taken.
Cllr. Mrs. Jude Vallis reported upon the closure of Compton Post Office together with the reduction of opening hours of the associated Shop. Whilst the Parish Council considers that this is most undesirable, there is very little that the Parish Council can do to prevent the loss of such an amenity.
Cllr. Jude Vallis raised the issue of revised opening hours for the Post Office in Compton Street. It is understood that the opening hours are to be reduced to just Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Various representations had been received from local residents, requesting the Parish Council to intervene. Whilst the Parish Council sympathise with the local residents, it was explained that the Parish Council can do very little other than make formal representations to the various Authorities covering the Post Office. This, the Parish Council will undertake to do.
The Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Mrs M Fagan, has kindly agreed to open the new Post Office on Thursday, 3 February, 2000, at 11 o’clock. This is considered a great honour. All parishioners are invited to attend the short opening ceremony.
‘The Council discussed a complaint about late delivery of mail in Compton. The agreed Royal Mail standards for deliveries in such an area are between 7am and 2pm and as the complaint concerned mail delivered at 12:45pm the Council felt that they could do very little. However, as the delivery service in our area is reportedly being rescheduled, a letter would be sent to the Head Postmaster pointing out the autumn deficiencies.
Reported that a sub-committee had met with Mrs VJ Smith and subsequently agreed the weekly rent to be paid.
Reported that the sub-postoffice, run by the hall caretaker, Mrs VJ Smith, opened on Monday 5 August. It is open on Monday and Thursday mornings from 9am till noon. A meeting is to be arranged to agree a fair rent to be paid by Mrs Smith for use of the premises.
Agreed that part of the parish hall could be used as a part time sub-postoffice to be managed by the hall caretaker, Mrs VJ Smith, who has satisfactorily discussed the matter with Post Office Counters Ltd. The Parish Council, who are concerned that Post Office facilities should be continued in Shawford if possible, agreed to cover costs of adaptation and equipment up to a maximum of £750.
Following the closure of Shawford Subpostoffice in July, the Parish Council agreed to investigate the possibility of Shawford Parish Hall being used as a part time Subpostoffice, managed by the hall caretaker, Mrs V J Smith, subject to the satisfactory agreement of all parties. Post Office Counters Ltd to be advised accordingly.