Police called to Shropshire Post Office meeting as tempers fray
Police had to be called to a public meeting about changes to post office services in south Shropshire, as tempers frayed.
More than 80 concerned residents packed into Clee Hill Village Hall to make their views known about plans to change the way services are run in the rural south-east of the county.
The plans include a controversial proposal to close the counter at Clee Hill Post Office and Stores and replace it with a mobile service.
George Cummings, chairing the meeting on behalf of the Friends of Clee Hill Forum, said there were tears at the thought of the loss – and a man who disrupted the meeting by refusing to stop shouting.
A petition has been launched to fight plans to close the branch, currently overseen by Cleobury Mortimer postmaster Gwilym Butler, as residents and councillors say it is a lifeline not just for the village but for surrounding communities.
The Post Office says a mobile service a few hours a week will offer a "permanent and sustainable solution" as the counter has been run on a temporary basis for more than four years.
Mr Cummings said: "Richard Hall from the Post Office gave some explanation what the proposal was.
"He had just given his explanation when all of a sudden we heard this loud voice from outside and in walked this man shouting about how the post office could not close.
"The whole room was astounded at what was going on."
Mr Cummings said the man would not stop so he had to duck out and call the police.
"The officers arrived and stayed for a bit and he calmed down," he said.
However there were other strong emotions expressed, he said.
"One woman with a walking aid, who had difficulty getting up, was literally crying. There was a feeling that if old people have to queue out in the street for the mobile service, they are going to get wet in rain."
A consultation on the proposals runs until September 30, though any decision may be delayed for months, he said, as talks had only just started with an "interested party" – believed to be the Post Office and Stores shop staff – to take over the running of the counter.
Responses can be given online at www.postof ficeviews.co.uk/live consultation.php
