A community Post Office in South Cumbria will reach a French audience – thanks to Cumbria Crack.
A film crew from national public broadcaster France 2 Television visited Broughton-in-Furness Post Office and Community Shop today.
They had read about the shop on our website.
The town’s previous Post Office closed in June last year and the town was facing having no service at all.
But a group of residents stepped up and formed Broughton Community Services CIC.
The community interest company was set up to run a post office, community shop and visitor information service on a not-for-profit basis at the tourist information centre on The Square.
After months of fundraising and completing a comprehensive application process with Post Office Ltd, Broughton Community Services was awarded a contract to run a post office counter service.
It was officially opened on Tuesday December 9.
The volunteers’ story will be broadcast on French TV next month.
Reporter Maëlys Septembre and camera journalist Perrine Aubert of France 2 TV filmed Post Office manager Siobhan Rawlins serving a steady stream of customers.
Siobhan explained how the branch provides vital postal and banking services, including cash withdrawals to local people.
Several customers coming in to use the Post Office told how difficult it was when the previous branch closed down.
An elderly customer, who doesn’t drive, said the new post office was a lifeline for her.
Volunteers Anne Anderson and Sally Pike – two out of a team of 28 volunteers – spoke about how volunteering at the shop feels both worthwhile and sociable while Annette Carmichael, who spearheaded the project, talked about how Broughton Community Services CIC, like other not-for-profit groups, are having to step up when services previously provided by public bodies are withdrawn.
Annette also spoke about how the community came together to fundraise and why the volunteer-run shop and information service is essential to financially support the post office service.
The two French journalists rounded off their visit by buying a small flock of knitted sheep crème egg holders handmade and donated to the shop by Post Office Operative Ingrid Guy and Volunteer Pat Harden.
