With the shutters set to fall on thousands of rural post offices, Claire Heald, of the BBC News Magazine, spends a day at her local branch to see what, if anything, makes these outposts of Britain's postal network, tick.
With the shutters set to fall on thousands of rural post offices, Claire Heald, of the BBC News Magazine, spends a day at her local branch to see what, if anything, makes these outposts of Britain's postal network, tick.
At the counter at the back of Ide Hill Postores, it is peel, press, peel, press... as stamps are added to a growing pile of Christmas cards.
At the counter at the back of Ide Hill Postores, it is peel, press, peel, press... as stamps are added to a growing pile of Christmas cards.
For 72p they're flying off to Australia and Canada. Or staying more local for 23p, second class.
For 72p they're flying off to Australia and Canada. Or staying more local for 23p, second class.
It's a busy time of year...
It's a busy time of year...
But while the cost of sending a letter is evident, is it possible to put a price on the value of this rural post office?
But while the cost of sending a letter is evident, is it possible to put a price on the value of this rural post office?
With the £150m-a-year subsidy due to be cut in 2008, on Thursday Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling is to announce how many hundreds or thousands of post offices are expected to close.
With the £150m-a-year subsidy for rural post offices due to be cut in 2008, on Thursday Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling announced 2,500 offices will close.
Just 25 miles from central London, Ide Hill Postores, near Sevenoaks, Kent, feels like it is a world away from the gaze of government actuaries. Standing across from the village green, between the one remaining pub and the small primary school, it serves an immediate community of fewer than 1,000 people and surrounding Kent hamlets.
Just 25 miles from central London, Ide Hill Postores, near Sevenoaks, Kent, feels like it is a world away from the gaze of government actuaries. Standing across from the village green, between the one remaining pub and the small primary school, it serves an immediate community of fewer than 1,000 people and surrounding Kent hamlets.
There is none of the traffic congestion that blights larger settlements nearby. Just walk up, or park outside. Men and women chat by the frontage. Horses are led up the road. It's an idyllic country scene.
There is none of the traffic congestion that blights larger settlements nearby. Just walk up, or park outside. Men and women chat by the frontage. Horses are led up the road. It's an idyllic country scene.
Customers flow in
Customers flow in
The front door is swollen and sticking thanks to weeks of rain but it's not holding back the steady flow of customers that passes through in this busy Advent period. As it is a weekday, they are mostly parents, people in middle and older age.
The front door is swollen and sticking thanks to weeks of rain but it's not holding back the steady flow of customers that passes through in this busy Advent period. As it is a weekday, they are mostly parents, people in middle and older age.
Inside, it is no cold, empty, magnolia space with a huge queue, automated "next please" and unknown staff. Sub-postmaster of 24 years Ken McPherson occupies the glass booth. His wife Ann is in charge of the cosy shop's counter.
Inside, it is no cold, empty, magnolia space with a huge queue, automated "next please" and unknown staff. Sub-postmaster of 24 years Ken McPherson occupies the glass booth. His wife Ann is in charge of the cosy shop's counter.
But there's time for a chat while business is done
But there's time for a chat while business is done
Ministers may argue that much Post Office business now takes place electronically but the clientele here are not just internet-inhibited older folk. You can work on the internet for a living and still come here to post Christmas cards and pick up supplies.
Ministers may argue that much Post Office business now takes place electronically but the clientele here are not just internet-inhibited older folk. You can work on the internet for a living and still come here to post Christmas cards and pick up supplies.
Four million people nationwide signed the campaign petition against planned post office closures; 700 of them here. So how would the McPhersons feel if their business was earmarked for closure?
Four million people nationwide signed the campaign petition against planned post office closures; 700 of them here. So how would the McPhersons feel if their business was earmarked for closure?
Perhaps it is the years of dealing with some of their more "colourful" customers, or the knowledge that their hands are tied by the government and Royal Mail, just at a time when they look towards retirement. But they are pragmatic.
Perhaps it is the years of dealing with some of their more "colourful" customers, or the knowledge that their hands are tied by the government and Royal Mail, just at a time when they look towards retirement. But they are pragmatic.
Yes, there would be great upset. "It's our life, it's our living. There would be tears all round," says Ann. But they recognise that the changing demographic of people who live in the area, multiplying supermarkets, and the way they feel some services have been mismanaged - insurance on offer that few people take up, TV licensing moved elsewhere - has an impact.
Yes, there would be great upset. "It's our life, it's our living. There would be tears all round," says Ann. But they recognise that the changing demographic of people who live in the area, multiplying supermarkets, and the way they feel some services have been mismanaged - insurance on offer that few people take up, TV licensing moved elsewhere - has an impact.
Customer "devastation"
Customer "devastation"
Their customers are far less sanguine, saying the prospect of closure would be devastating. Ask them about the plans and they offer crossed fingers against it or quick prayers - "God forbid" - as they explain why it is "essential" that it stays.
Their customers are far less sanguine, saying the prospect of closure would be devastating. Ask them about the plans and they offer crossed fingers against it or quick prayers - "God forbid" - as they explain why it is "essential" that it stays.
If it was to close, we'd get together. In a village people club together when something important comes up Post office customer
If it was to close, we'd get together. In a village people club together when something important comes up Post office customer
Often the social fabric arguments for rural post offices are trumpeted. But here they know practical reasons hold sway. The post office offers them access to services and cash within walking distance, in an area where there are few other amenities but outstanding walks.
Often the social fabric arguments for rural post offices are trumpeted. But here they know practical reasons hold sway. The post office offers them access to services and cash within walking distance, in an area where there are few other amenities but outstanding walks.
Quite simply, they feel it works. Why drive elsewhere to do the post office run when the government wants fewer journeys, less congestion, lowered pollution?
Quite simply, they feel it works. Why drive elsewhere to do the post office run when the government wants fewer journeys, less congestion, lowered pollution?
"In Sevenoaks the post office is a nightmare," says local Rusty Dawson. "You have to queue for hours. No-one knows me from Adam. Here you can do everything easily."
"In Sevenoaks the post office is a nightmare," says local Rusty Dawson. "You have to queue for hours. No-one knows me from Adam. Here you can do everything easily."
And, as many a village shop sinks when it loses its post office, so they fear for their convenient store. For the "beers for the builders" being bought, the morning newspapers, food basics, own-label jam, fruit and veg, tights and fashion socks, hardware, cards, cakes.
And, as many a village shop sinks when it loses its post office, so they fear for their convenient store. For the "beers for the builders" being bought, the morning newspapers, food basics, own-label jam, fruit and veg, tights and fashion socks, hardware, cards, cakes.
Social fabric
Social fabric
But there is also social fabric being meshed here. Gossip is at Heat Magazine levels. Noticeboards in the windows are checked out. At the front, a spot of Christmas party planning is under way - what time to arrive? Which dish to bring?
But there is also social fabric being meshed here. Gossip is at Heat Magazine levels. Noticeboards in the windows are checked out. At the front, a spot of Christmas party planning is under way - what time to arrive? Which dish to bring?
Provisions are picked up and social lives sorted out
Provisions are picked up and social lives sorted out
For some customers this trip to the post office is an even more vital piece of daily social interaction, or a keep-me-independent run out of exercise.
For some customers this trip to the post office is an even more vital piece of daily social interaction, or a keep-me-independent run out of exercise.
What action would they take if its name was on the closure list? "What would we do Ann?" asks one worriedly. "We'd get together," she concludes, firmly. "You find in a village that people club together when something important comes up."
What action would they take if its name was on the closure list? "What would we do Ann?" asks one worriedly. "We'd get together," she concludes, firmly. "You find in a village that people club together when something important comes up."
Figures can be put on the business's sales, the £150m annual government subsidy to all such rural offices and the billions in tax revenue collected by the Treasury.
Figures can be put on the business's sales, the £150m annual government subsidy to all such rural offices and the billions in tax revenue collected by the Treasury.
But, unlike the stamps on their cards, the practical benefits, the time saved, the social and physical boost, are not factors the community can price up.
But, unlike the stamps on their cards, the practical benefits, the time saved, the social and physical boost, are not factors the community can price up.
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