Jenni Murray: why she has a secret, protective fondness for the Royal Mail
Now that Denmark has closed its postal service, our columnist wonders if the new billionaire owner of the Royal Mail will follow suit?
Now that Denmark has closed its postal service, our columnist wonders if the new billionaire owner of the Royal Mail will follow suit?
It's no surprise that a relatively small country like Denmark has decided to abolish what to most of us has been a lifetime of social service – a reliable and trustworthy post where letters are delivered promptly, never opened and never damaged.
Denmark’s postal service ceased the deliveries of letters at the end of December last year. Parcels will be handled, but anyone insistent on sending letters must seek a private route.
In Denmark, there has been a dramatic decrease in demand for letters to be delivered. The volume has fallen 90% since the start of this century as the main form of communication has become email or text. One wonders if anyone knows how to write by hand any more. It’s so much easier to tap out a message on a phone, knowing it will get to the recipient immediately.
There is no reason to assume the British Royal Mail is in greater demand than Denmark’s. The letter delivery service has diminished as we all take to our phones and computers. Why bother with the laborious effort of finding handsome paper, a pen and an envelope, and having to go to the Post Office to buy a stamp? A keyboard is so much quicker and easier.
There has been talk of Royal Mail following Denmark after its takeover by the Czech tycoon Daniel Křetínský. It seems a little strange that such a treasured national institution, founded 500 years ago under Henry VIII, should be bought by a hard-headed billionaire businessman.
Why would he want a business in deep decline? Its letter business has halved in a decade, it is losing money, it has been fined for missing delivery targets, and there’s been a series of bitter strikes.
I have a secret, protective fondness for the old girl, especially since its split from the Post Office.
No one could be fond of a business that damaged so many postmasters and is still to confess who made the mess in the first place. It’s time to ensure compensation is paid to those who suffered and who need the money.
No blame for any of that terrible damage can be laid at the door of Royal Mail, and my affection for the institution goes back a long way. Every Tuesday as a little girl, I waited anxiously for our friendly postie to deliver my comic. He always came on time with a smile.
Then, in the sixth form, I had a job with Royal Mail delivering Christmas post. I did it for five years running – through the end of school and the whole of university.
We were always reminded of what an important job we had. We’d arrive at the sorting office early in the morning, pick up the post for our area and head off with a huge bag on our backs, always remembering the rules of the game. No item must be damaged, no letter must be opened, nothing must be lost and nothing should ever be dumped, no matter how heavy the bag.
I loved the job, even though two years running I managed to slip in the snow and break a wrist. What was so marvellous about it was the sense of being part of a community. I was recognised as the postie and I always hoped was delivering something that would bring joy.
To be fair to today's Royal Mail, there is one service at which it excels. I order quite a few things on the internet that are delivered by various different companies. Boxes are left in the open, issuing an invitation to be stolen, or goods are ruined by being left in the rain.
Royal Mail is responsible for two of the things I order often. I get an email with a delivery date and time. I can change it on the app if I’m going to be out. At more or less the exact moment I’ve specified, our friendly postie – who knows my name – will knock on the door and wait for an answer. If the box is heavy, he offers to bring it indoors. That’s what I call a service.
As for the letter side of things, we mustn’t give it up too soon. I have a feeling, based on comments from some of the ones I know, that young people rather like the idea of love letters. Technology may not have killed romance.
I currently have a very precious item that came to me by post. It’s a beautiful card with an affectionate, handwritten message thanking me for praising the TV series Rivals. It's signed, "Lots of love forever, Jilly Cooper." It brought me joy! By post!
[Hero image credit: Mark Harrison]
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