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26 High Street
The new Post Office was opened in January,1963, costing £45,000. The telephone Exchange
remained at the old office until new premises were completed in 1965 at the rear of the
High Street office, at a cost of £55,000.
Prior to the official opening, Mr.W.A.Mackenzie, deputy regional director of the G.P.O.,
said that the new office had been designed to cater for the needs of Alcester for many
years to come. The Post Office played a part in the life of everyone. In 1963 Alcester
Post Office had about 1,600 customers each week, handled about 44,000 letters and 900
parcels posted or delivered each week. At the counter, 1,000 postal orders were issued,
1,100 pensions were paid and 100 deposits for the Savings Bankwere received. In addition,
wireless and television licences, dog and gun licences, money orders and telegrams were
issued. Mr.Mackenzie hoped ‘that the happy association between the townsfolk of
Alcester and the Post Office that exists today will continue to flourish’.
Mrs.Pritchard,, wife of Councillor Pritchard, made the first purchase at the public
counter (Alcester Chronicle)
From January 5th to March 7th,1971, the Post Office Workers’ Union were on a national
strike. There was almost a 100% response in Alcester. Although the strike caused great
inconvenience to the public, it also caused heavy financial personal loss to many of the
Post Office employees. Decimalisation Day was on the 15th of February, which added to the
confusion. First Day Covers which had been prepared beforehand could not be sent out on
the proper day and had to wait until the strike was over. Two ladies, Mrs.C.James and
Mrs.E.Duxbury who had served behind the counter for over 80 years between them, were
awarded the Imperial Long Service Medals, a fitting tribute to their loyal service to the
community.
In October, 1986, the Post Office was re-organised, the duties of postmasters being
divided. No longer do we have post masters in Alcester. Mr.Wylde was appointed Branch
Manager in charge of the Counter and Mr.S.Bennett was made Delivery Officer. The new
titles of the Post Office are : Post Office Counters Ltd., Girobank P.L.C., National
Savings, Royal Mail and D.H.S.S. Now mail arrives and is despatched by mail van to
Redditch or Coventry. Letters posted before 11 a.m. Mondays to Fridays and 12.30 p.m. on
Saturdays are franked ALCESTER WARWICKSHIRE: after those times REDDITCH WORCS.
© John Donaldson 1988 - Alcester & District Local History Society