SATURDAY PITSTOP WITH ESSEX FORD BILLERICAY – 12.4.8

Brussels' Post Office diktat

Brentwood resident of 32 years Jim Reynolds came on with views on the EU's powers to decide how much support our government can give a British institution such as the Post Office.

Of the country's 14,000 Post Offices, around 2,000 are earmarked for closure due to being commercially not viable.  Another way to slim a PO's running costs is to move it from a dedicated building into a store such as WHSmith – as happened in Brentwood two months ago.

Jim sees the EU's ability to limit subsidies paid to support POs as unacceptable and asks why politicians at Westminster and in local government do not admit they cannot intervene due to the European State Aid Directive.

The ruling has put a £150 million annual cap on assistance for the remaining 12,000 POs.  Jim wondered whether Essex County Council and Brentwood Borough Council's declared plans to provide Post Office counter services from town halls and civil buildings would also be vetoed by the directive.

Teddy bears' picnic

Saturday Pitstop listeners have been invited to a teddy bear fair organised by Brentwood's Jacqui and Ray Marsden at the Holiday Inn, Brook Street, on April 20 from 10am.  To take up their offer of free tickets for Phoenix FM listeners, email marsdraymo@aol.com.  Event website is www.freewebs.com/totallyteddies

From Essex Ford Billericay

Show sponsors Essex Ford Billericay were out in force at Essex Cricket Club's season curtain raiser on Tuesday.  Alistair Cooke, Ravi Bopara and other Essex Eagles unveiled their new Twenty20 kit provided by Essex Ford.

The company has also put its name to the summer's Southend Cricket Festival at Garron Park in late July/early August.  More information at www.essexcricket.org.uk

For Phoenix FM listeners, Carol in service is offering £25 to spend at Debenhams with a value service for Fords of three years and older.  Phone her on 01277 652242.

Article by Oliver Rowe, 12 Apr 2008
Posted in Saturday Morning with Oliver Rowe

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