Well done and thank you to everyone that managed to get along to today's demo. In addition to the gorilla and dalek who made repeat appearances, we had a pirate, a rabbit and Tubbs from A League of Gentlemen. Most amusing and very attention grabbing - a special thank you to everyone that dressed up!
Despite being told by the Nottingham Evening Post that they wouldn't cover us any further, they actually sent two people over and there was a small announcement in today's paper about the demo. We also had a mention on Trent radio and two freelance reporters - both accompanied Doreen Sim on her wheelchair accessibility test. If anyone knows of any other media coverage that I haven't mentioned here then please let me know.
Don't forget to check out the media and photo sections of this blog.
Wheelchair Accesibility Test:
I've sent a press release to the local media with the 'findings' of the wheelchair test to the Sherwood branch so hopefully this will be picked up. Essentially, Doreen's journey would be increased from 5 minutes each way to 20 minutes each way. She felt very tired, almost toppled at one junction, and wasn't able to enter the Post Office at the end of the journey due to the step. She also wouldn't be able to turn around inside even if she could get in. As we've said before, we're not trying to criticise the facilities at Sherwood, but are trying to emphasise what the real impact on existing customers of Carrington will be, and it's a simple fact that it will be much, much harder and for some, impossible. Doreen said that she wouldn't have been able to make that journey once a week let alone twice a week [as she makes to Carrington PO], and what would she do when it was winter when it's wet and cold. A big thank you to Doreen for carrying out the test.
Disability Assessment Self-Audit:
We are also carrying out the self-audit disability assessment that the Royal Mail Group [which includes the Post Office] uses themselves. Thanks to Adam Blomerley for doing this assessment which found that the Sherwood branch didn't score very highly. We will also conduct this assessment for Carrington and Beech Avenue branches so that we can have some further hard evidence of how accessible Carrington Post Office is.
Council and Government Contact:
John Robinson's contact with Ken Clarke's office resulted in a polite, but very definite "keep to your own territory" response. Disappointing but not entirely surprising perhaps. We have nonetheless sent a very 'discreet' message of support for Melton Road.
Cllr Jane Urquhart made a brief appearance at today's demo as she was organising her husband's 40th surprise birthday and Cllr Tony Marshall [Lib Dem, Arboretum] also came along. Sadly there was no sign of John Heppell, MP.
I have ongoing contact with Jon Collins' secretary to try to get an official acknowlegment of support from the full council and answers to the questions that were raised at Thursday's meeting. The council has penned a letter that they will send to the Post Office and I have made recommendations for updates and additions regarding our Carrington branch. I am awaiting confirmation of whether or not these have / will be included. Sadly I have not been able to make direct contact with Cllr Collins however, his secretary has suggested that should we wish to meet him that we should book an appointment with him at next Tuesday's surgery in St Anns which runs from 10 to 11am. I am unable to make an appointment so if any of you are able please let me know and I will give you the telephone number to ring.
What's Next? The March to Deliver our Petition to John Heppell, MP
We are going to collate the petition on Monday and put together the final presentation copies together with 'supporting documents' which will include the media coverage that we are aware of, copies of some of the letters we have sent, copies of our own branch access report and disability access self-audit, a copy of the leaflets and a covering letter explaining what we have done in the campaign and why we are arguing against the closure.
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