Keep The Post Public National Tour: North West Region Day 2

Carl Webb Regional Secretary reports on the North West Tour

19.5.09 (Morning) – Rochdale 

The Keep the Post Public white van men Carl & Len drove into town at 09:30, Saf and Ted (Oldham & Rochdale branch) already had one table ready outside the town centre Post Office.  Within half an hour the Giant Postbox had been inflated (with the help of Pete Keenlyside) and the stalls were ready with the good people of Rochdale already signing the  petition forms and happy children going away with Frisbees, yoyos and whistles (parents not so happy about the whistles).
 
The next two hours flew by with a steady stream of people queuing to sign the petitions and fill in the postcards to the PM, even in the pouring rain during the frequent heavy showers. 
 
The majority of people were aware of what was going on, a few were not, however not one person refused to sign the petition and each and every one of them voiced their support for the campaign and their anger that this government could contemplate selling of part of Royal Mail and also that their MP Paul Rowen refused to sign the EDM against the privatisation.
 
Radio Manchester arrived about 11:30 and Carl did an interview and then the reporter asked several people why they were signing the petition and she was told in no uncertain terms that selling off Royal Mail was a disgrace, they feared for the universal service and also that the service that was left would deteriorate.

The Rochdale Guardian who had already printed a story about our event had asked us to take some pictures and for Ted to pen an article for the paper.
 
At 12 noon it was time to pack up and for Carl, Len and Pete to head off to Ashton, if the afternoon goes anything like the morning the lads will have had a great day.
           
19.5.09 (PM) – Ashton U Lyne

We arrive at the Tameside Council offices to meet up with Kieran Quinn (NW Political Officer) who has arranged for us to situate our stand, postbox and novelty postcard next to the busy market place. Once again Pete Keenlyside (NEC Member) was on hand to help us along with a large contingent from the greater Manchester branch led by the Branch Secretary, Jim McNicholls. 

Lenny who has now become the leading expert at pumping up large inflatable objects had it pumped up in less than ten minutes and tied to a lamppost. Almost immediately we were attracting large crowds of people interested in what we were doing. Whoever thought up the idea of using a 20 foot postbox deserves a medal.

Swarms of people were now descending from the market and gathering round our tables which were full of goodies, postcards and petitions. Angela Bottomley and Stephanie Mulholland who took total control of gathering signatures and the distribution of the campaign material were amazing to watch they must have collected hundreds of signatures and signed postcards to Gordon Brown in less than an hour, no one refused.

As in Rochdale people were angry and disappointed that it was a Labour Government that was trying to sell off their Royal Mail. Soldiers from the nearby Army recruitment stand came over to sign our petition; stall holders took handfuls of petitions so that they could collect signatures after we had gone. 

Then suddenly something unexpected happened it started raining in Greater Manchester. But this did not dampen Stephanie and Angela enthusiasm they just put up their brollies and kept on collecting signatures.

The local radio station then arrived and interviewed Angela, Stephanie and the Assistant Regional Secretary Tracy Buckley (Manchester Clerical branch) the interviewer was quite hostile but Tracy gave as good as she got.

In fact the interview was that good a lady who was listening to it at home put on her coat and came down to the market just to sign our petition.  

A photographer from the Manchester Evening News then arrived to take some group pics in front of the ‘star of the show’ the postbox. Sadly the drizzle became a downpour and reluctantly we decided to call it a day. This was becoming a feature of the week. I can’t remember the weather being this bad in May for many a year.

Before we set off we agree with Jim and Kieran to meet up outside Old Trafford at 7am to take some photos before anyone can move us on.

On our way home we receive the news that the Liberal led Stockport Council have at the last minute withdrawn permission for us to have a promotional pitch as they call it in Stockport. This is very disappointing and the branch will be issuing a strongly worded press release condemning the council. They are the only council not to co-operate with us. Now we need to fill a few hours and in no time at all we have arranged to do photo shoots outside Goodison Park and Anfield Stockport’s loss is Merseyside’s gain.

Just hope the weather is kinder to us.

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