THE Post Office has had a long and proud history since 1516 when Henry VIII created the Master of the Posts to speed his communications across the land.

In 1635 Charles I opened the service to the public, then in the 18th century Ralph Allen of Bath instigated a network of mail coaches to carry the mail all over Britain.

In 1840 the stick-on Penny Black stamp was released to use for letter postage. 

The 20th century saw further good progress so that the robin-red livery for postal boxes and vans became a much loved accessory of the public service which delivered our letters at least twice daily.

Sadly this progress has not been maintained in the 21st century.

Now the Royal Mail has been privatised for a controversial song and hived off, many village post offices closed down and their work force has dwindled to under 8,000.

The final indignity for Cirencester is that our highly efficient and busy Post Office is to be shoe-horned into WH Smith.

Along with it will go the best foreign currency provider in town.

Why should this be?

61 per cent of Standard readers, in the poll you published last week, said they do not want this.

We must all protest and keep our valuable Cirencester premises open.

MARGARET HOPKINS
Cirencester