Royal Mail

While many of us are looking for a wee rest at Christmas, it’s not true of everyone.

I visited our local posties in Peterhead this week. I was surprised to find that 53 work out of the sorting office there. And without them our cards and presents from distant friends just wouldn’t get through.

Although I’m a great user of e-mail, I like to receive real cards and find any electronic substitute a poor imitation. So I asked whether e-mail was hitting the traditional mail service.

It seems not. In fact with people communicating more, and buying goods over the Internet, it seems there’s even more business for our posties.

So it’s particularly bad news that Consignia, for that’s what the Post Office would have themselves called now, plan to pay off 30,000 staff. They’re making losses at the moment. But let’s remember that the government has been taking large ‘dividends’ from the company over the years.

And now they’re allowing competitors to muscle in on postal delivery. Not that we’re seeing new companies bidding for delivering our Christmas cards. No way! It’s profitable city centres the new boys want and not vital rural services where we’ve long relied on our Post Office.

So just as our posties are supporting us, we all need to support them.

Swimming Pools

Sometimes the most unexpected things crop up the most unexpected places. At our Parliament’s Justice Committee meeting I learned something that won’t please everyone in our area.

The good folk of Mintlaw have been working very hard for years now to raise money for a swimming pool for central Buchan. And at the last moment, the Council decided they couldn’t provide the financial guarantee necessary to proceed. Not money mind you – just stand behind community efforts.

So that’s back to square one and much thought’s going into what Mintlaw and the area around should do now.

So I don’t think these hard working folk will be well pleased to hear what I heard about Polmont Young Offenders’ Unit in central Scotland. It seems that – yes – they’ve got a swimming pool!

So it seems that our young folk in central Buchan will have get themselves ‘banged up’ for Christmas if they want a local swimming pool.

Christmas

As this is my last column before Christmas it’s entirely appropriate that I tell you about an important visitor to the North East.

Whitehills lays out the red carpet for all who come here. But on Saturday our special visitor was Santa Claus. I was summoned to give him a helping hand.

Our locals are not resting on their laurels after winning the Community of the Year award. So fund raising for village causes continues apace. And Santa was there to help.

He had hot chestnuts and mince pies during his visit to the local kirk hall. And he told us he was looking forward to seeing us again on the 25th.

So it’s thanks to Santa for help with our moneymaking efforts today. And it’s thanks for everything he’ll bring us soon.

Merry Christmas!