By Keir Mudie

Last updated 08:46, Friday, 09 May 2008

RESIDENTS of Castle Carrock were left angry after an unsuccessful visit from Post Office officials this week.

Richard Lynds, Post Office network development boss

More than 100 people packed into the village hall to hear of plans to close their branch and replace it with an outreach service.

Tricia Meynell, clerk to the parish council, said: “To call it a consultation is a joke – they don’t even know what the word means.

“They have obviously made up their minds and although they went through the motions of listening to what we had to say, they have already decided.

“To see so many people there shows the strength of feeling about the closure and shows that the village is not happy.

“We asked what options there were for keeping it open and they didn’t have any answers.

“It is quite clear that they have ignored the human side of the issue – it is all about money.

“They want to replace our shop with a van that comes once a week – that is the bottom line.

“There was an air of cynicism in the meeting, people were not happy with what they were hearing.”

The parish council is concerned that closure of the post office will affect business at the attached shop.

It raised concerns that the nearest service is in Brampton – four miles away and with a limited bus service.

Residents have also described the shop as “the heart of the community” and pointed out its importance as a social site for people. Tricia added: “We are a small village with a pub, school and post office – and it really is the heart of the community.

“If the post office goes then we will lose the shops and there are no others around here. People depend on them – and there are lots of different ways that they get used.

“The shopkeeper has been there for more than 30 years and knows everything that is going on. Old people like to wander down and catch up with their friends and the gossip and find out what’s happening. The post office is vital for them to be able to get their pension.”

Post Office officials who were at the meeting included Richard Lynds, network development manager and Nick Turner, external relations.

As well as residents from Castle Carrock and Geltsdale Parish Council, the meeting was attended by Margaret Harrison, village post mistress and representatives from the city council.

Castle Carrock is one of 35 outlets in Cumbria and 2,500 across the UK earmarked for closure. To respond to the consultation write to: Post Office Ltd, Freepost Consultation Team or email consultation@postoffice.co.uk