East Hanningfield villagers reverse a trend tomorrow - they are opening a post office instead of closing one.
The post office, to be housed in an extended community centre, is the first permanent site for the villagers since 1996.
Back then the old post office stores shut but after public outcry the village's parish council agreed to save the service.
At first it operated from a restaurant at the Windmill Pub but later moved to a portable building which suffered vandalism and theft attacks.
The parish council decided in 1998 to set up a special working group to find a permanent building.
A house-to-house survey showed the service was needed - residents also called for a meeting room, baby-changing and a referee changing rooms and disabled toilet.
The council worked with the Hanna's Field charity and the charity commissioners had to be approached.
Eventually a £145,000 extension to the community centre was agreed to house all the new facilities.
With help of the countryside agency, the county and borough councils, the Carnegie Trust and the Post Office Start Up subsidy scheme construction began last autumn.
The official opening of the hall extension and the new shop on Saturday is to be followed by music in the playing field and a teddy bear's picnic for families."It will be an important and enjoyable day," said
Published Friday, June 13, 2003
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