John Triggs FRSPL writes this appeared on the Channel Islands BBC TV local text message service this morning, 13th September 2023;-
Jersey Post and the Channel Islands Cooperative Society issued following:
Four Jersey Sub-Post offices located in Jersey Coop stores are to close, following discussions, as they are “unsustainable to continue”.
The sub offices to close are BEAUMONT, GEORGETOWN, PONTAC, on 27th of October 2023, also DON STREET, on 31st December 2023.
Guy first sent an image of a cover with a 29mm Alderney datestamp of December 2022 to us and this led to John making enquiries at the Guernsey Philatelic Bureau from where he learned that the three datestamps shown below have been in use for some years at the Bureau for philatelic purposes only, such as trade orders. The Alderney and Herm datestamps are of 29mm diameter and the Sark datestamp is a standard SID example
On the 3rd November 2020 Guernsey Post announced that various changes were being considered to their operations including the closure of the main Post Office in Smith Street. Since then, John Triggs has liaised with Bridget Yabsley at Guernsey Post to keep abreast of the situation and this note provides an update, together with examples of the datestamps which are now in use. Essentially, the changes can be broken down into three distinct sections:
1. Market.
This outlet had operated with two counter positions for some time and 34mm single circle datestamps with codes A or B inserted had been utilised. An example with code A is shown above left. This office has since been extended, refurbished and modernised to become the main Post Office in town. Two new counter positions have now been added and two new 42mm single circle cancellations have been issued with codes C or D inserted. An example with Code C is shown above right. This office offers all the traditional counter services as well as a parcel collection counter and a self-service postal kiosk.
2. North Plantation.
This is a new office and a hub for business customers located in the States of Guernsey’s Tourist Information Centre. This office provides a range of business services including P.O. Boxes. A new cancellation has been issued and this is also the larger sized 42mm single circle with the numeral codes 1 or 2 inserted as two counters can be opened as necessary. An example of Code 2 is shown above. The use of numerals instead of code letters or an * code is most unusual and it is believed that this is a first for Guernsey since postal independence in 1969.
3. Smith Street
On the 7th May, after more than 100 years, the main Post Office in Smith Street closed operationally. The old Smith Street cancellers were returned to Envoy House and these were in the interwoven circle style with codes J and N inserted. Examples of this cancellation with codes J and N inserted are illustrated below on the last day of operation.
It is interesting to note the changes being made by Guernsey Post, particularly their need to differentiate services for their business customers. Equally, this note highlights the three different types of cancellations that were in use as recently as May 2021.
