Keep The Post Public National Tour: North West Region Day 6

Blackpool - The Final Leg

After a 800 miles trek which started in Liverpool we are now on the final leg of the North West Tour which takes place in my home town, Blackpool.

First me and my daughter Madison have to drop off some paperwork at the Tourist Information Centre and register the transit van so we can park on the promenade.

Then it’s off to meet up with Lenny and his youngest daughter Hannah. We have arranged to meet at 10.30 to allow ourselves 30 minutes to set up stall before the masses of volunteers descend on us; I was not to be disappointed.

We have been given a good spot right next to the South Pier. We originally wanted to be sited near the Tower but this was impossible due to the central promenade undergoing major renovation (about time). I must thank the local council officials for all their help.

Once again we have attracted the interest of the local media. The local newspaper the Evening Gazette has published an excellent article about our campaign and I also do a radio interview for a local station.     

With the 20ft red pillar box tied to the transit van to stop it blowing on to the tramlines and 7 ft postcard in place along with the two trestle tables full of goodies and petitions the volunteers begin to arrive.

Bob, Barney and Richard the local CWU reps all turn up along with volunteers from Blackpool, Rochdale, Liverpool and Preston. Many have brought their families for a fun day out. The sky is grey, but the mood is bright and soon the crowds are flocking to our stand attracted by the 20 ft post box all eager to sign our petition and become the proud owner of a stress post box. 

We are joined by Joan Humble MP for Blackpool North & Cleveleys who has been one of our staunchest allies. The local postal workers are very pleased to see her. Joan who has just spent the morning campaigning in the Euro Elections is soon putting our case to people visiting our stall, though none of them needed that much convincing. 

The local stallholders have become a little concerned that we are handing out free balloons full of helium and other goodies but soon even they have signed our petition and taken some of our leaflets to handout on their stalls. No one wants their Royal Mail sold off.

Kenny and Martin are working the main promenade collecting signatures and directing them to the stand, not many refuse. To the delight of the local stallholders, we run out of helium. But this does not stem the flow of people wanting to pledge their support and register their disapproval with Mandelson’s proposals. 

The message from the public and businesses is simple - Royal Mail is not for sale at any cost - let this be a warning to both Mr Brown and Mr Cameron. Sell it at your peril.

We then call it a day and handover the baton to Jason who has kindly come over from Durham to collect the van for the next leg of its journey in the North East.

To finish we would like to thank all North West Branch Representatives, members and their families who assisted in making the North West leg of the tour an outstanding success.

Carl Webb                           
Regional Secretary

Lenny Crook
Area Distribution Representative