POST OFFICE CLOSED

"ITS BEEN TAKEN FROM US"

AFTER 151 YEARS THE POST OFFICE CLOSED.

IT HAS BEEN REPLACED BY A MOBILE UNIT SERVING THE VILLAGE FOR A FEW HOURS PER DAY, 5 DAYS PER WEEK.

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE FOR THEIR SUPPORT.
UNFORTUNATELY, IN THIS CASE "DAVID" WAS NEVER GOING TO BEAT "GOLIATH".

The Post Office in the Shop closed on Thursday 21st February 2008 at 1pm.

Gargunnock Post Office Closure

After 150+ years the Gargunnock Post Office; housed in the Gargunnock Village Store, will close for the last time on Thursday 21st February, 2008 at 1pm. To be replaced by a mobile service offering 10 hours per week over five days in the week.

It is not known exactly when the first Post Office was established in Gargunnock, however Lovat MacGregor; partner of the current and soon to be the last ever Post Mistress of Gargunnock; Carol Ferguson, found that in 1845 in the “The New Statistical Account for Scotland by the Society for the Benefits of the Sons and Daughters of the Clergy” there was no indication of one existing but that by 1860, “Nelson’s Handbook To Scotland For Tourists” mentions one.

The descriptive notes on the village by the Ordnance Survey Surveyors in the late 1850s confirm that there was one here and identified its location in a house at the top of the “Loft Loan” which became known as Charlie’s Loan for reasons about to become clear.

First Recorded Post Master

The 1861 census for Gargunnock confirms the Post Master as being Charles Forsyth, aged 58, with his wife Margaret, 47. Their house, demolished in the 20th century, was situated in front of the present day Belton Cottage.

Research on the “Scotland’s People” site reveals that Charlie was born in Gargunnock on 29th July 1800 to Shoemaker David Forsyth and his wife Janet Freeland.

Charlie too became a Shoemaker and in December 1834 the banns for his marriage to local girl Margaret McArthur were called in the church, although they were actually married in Leith.

The 1841 census records them here in the village and by 1851 census he is listed as a Master Shoemaker employing two men and having two servants in his house. By 1861 he is named for the first time as Post Master and again in 1871 at the age of 70. No early retirement for him then!


The real “Peoples Post Office” for 150 years, an icon and exemplification of community spirit is wrenched from those who covet it most. The bucolic alienation imposed by the existing Westminster Government demolishing the harmony and comfort of countryside living. Yes, those who have cars can drive the 4 or 5 miles to the next nearest PO. However, yet another example of lost rural services and bullying of the less fortunate in society for it is not everyone in the village who has access to a car. The bus service is far from frequent, creating a 2 hour round trip to make use of a PO.

It is not only a Post Office that closes down, but also a bank, as branches provide comprehensive banking services for customers of Barclays, Alliance & Leicester, Lloyds TSB, Clydesdale and Co-operative.

When the PO sign is taken down from the wall at 1pm on Thursday 21st February, 2008 another tear will appear in the already fragile fabric of rural society and further erosion created in the long time established countryside culture and community unity will be challenged needlessly again.

“Preserving the old ways from being abused
Protecting the new ways for me and for you
What more can we do”

“The Village Green Preservation Society” song by KATE RUSBY


The village community; it is hoped, will draw solace together and continue its respect for the ways of rural life – someone has to preserve it.

THE GARGUNNOCK VILLAGE STORE WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE VILLAGE COMMUNITY IN EVERY WAY IT CAN.

Thanks to all who signed our petition.

Thanks to all who signed our petition.
We collected 331 names and copies of the petition were sent to the following:

Alistair Darling, Secretary for Trade & Industry
Alan Johnstone, Secretary for Pensions & Allowances
Anne McGuire, MP for Stirling
David Lonsdale, MP for Stirling
Tricia Dow, Postwatch Scotland
Alan Cook, MD for Post Offices Ltd
Paul Hook, National Federation of Subpostmasters