A CAMPAIGN to get a mobile Post Office set up in Budock Water one morning a week is gathering momentum with a petition supporting the aim having gathered over 100 signatures in just a few days.

Budock resident Keith Rashleigh has set up a petition in the village asking if the residents and those living in the surrounding parish, would welcome and support a mobile post office visiting on a weekly basis over a four week trial period, and then beyond that if proved to be a success.

To date over 100 residents in the parish have signed the petition supporting the mobile post office visiting the village every Wednesday between the hours of 9am and midday. The petition is due to be presented to the next full meeting of the parish council on Monday, July 26 at 7.30pm.

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However Mr Rashleigh says that an issue had arisen over the cost of hiring the village hall as the venue for the Post Office.

"A disturbing problem has arisen," he said. "Whereby the village hall which is the only suitable venue has demanded £45-00 per week which is considerably more than what was anticipated and not in line with other villages."

He added: "Even the committee room is being charged out at the same price. Why is such a negative stance being taken against what is a service for the villagers? Also worth noting is the Village Hall is unoccupied by any clients."

Not everybody is happy about Mr Rashleigh's comments on the situation though.

Budock parish councillor Philip Hart said: "Could I just point out a couple of things. If this comes to pass it is not for one day a week but is actually for three hours in a morning. This is not a mobile Post Office, there are no mobile Post Offices available. It will be static in whichever situation it finally may find itself."

Newly elected Cornwall Councillor for Budock, David Saunby said that he had stated in his election leaflet, that if elected he would do his very best to re-instate a post office in Budock Water.

"We are just one step away from securing a mobile post office for Budock," he said "and it is too good an opportunity to miss, but all now depending if a mobile signal can be sourced from a nearby phone mast to operate the mobile post office equipment.

"In the meantime a very generous offer has come forward from Anna and Martin Kavanagh of the Trelowarren Arms offering a room for the post office to operate from, providing a mobile signal can be obtained.

"This is a very kind offer indeed which is greatly appreciated, but until we know whether or not a signal can be received, all options of other suitable venues in the village still remain on the table.

"Having spoken to many people in the village about the strong possibility of a post office returning to the village on a four week trial period, all were very supportive, saying that it would be a great asset to the village, especially the elderly who have no transport, and unable to travel to post offices in other areas, and there have been no negative comments."

Keith Rashleigh's petition can be signed in Budock Water Village Stores, and the Trelowarren Arms.

The original Budock Post Office closed in October 2008 as part of the Labour government's national closure programme.