Penny Farthing Post

I often get asked what will the members of the Letter Writers Alliance do if the postal service is ever abolished. My response is always to detail exactly why that will never happen, but I do think that if postal armeggedon were upon us, members and other mail lovers would turn hyper local. For an example of a local post, check out Graham Eccles {see the dashing gentleman above}.

Mr. Eccles is a writer and poet in Cornwall. He is also the main operator of the Penny Farthing Post. There are "post offices" in local shops around town and he does three pick-ups and deliveries a day. A letter posted early in the day can arrive at its destination on the same day it was sent, like the city delivery system of old! "I want to encourage the younger generation to love the written word. Everyone's growing up with huge thumbs from texting but receiving a letter is special." You can see him in action in this clip from the BBC.

Well done, Mr. Eccles! You have our stamp of approval as it were. The first L.W.A. member to send me documentation of using the Penny Farthing Post gets an Inkling. Do you know of any other local posts? Please leave a comment if you do!

P.S. Additional thanks to member Cheyenne for the first tip on this.

P.P.S. Quote from the Guardian article linked in the post.

 

Comments

[Jackie]

This is brilliant! It makes me think 'Hey. I have a bike, and I love to ride it. Why not combine the things I love and bring letters to people while also getting my 20 miles/day?!'. It certainly opens up a new and exciting door for home made stamps!

My letter writing has sort of fallen off recently, which makes me sad. I need to light the epistolary fire again. This was good inspiration, thanks for posting! Anyone have suggestions for putting the awesome back in my letter writing life?

[GinaVisione]

This is simply fantastic. Sign me up anytime - I would love to have a guaranteed 15 mile bike ride every day! Netherland official post is delivered by bike also, I think....
To Jackie: new LWA stationary :D, old thrift store stationary, take a walk in a different neighborhood, do something you've always wanted to & haven't gotten around to it til now, getting on your bike.... endless inspirational options at your fingertips! Good luck!

[Jackie]

Gina - thank you! one of my favorite topics for letters is to just write what im seeing or doing. a long ride through a new place would be good fodder for such a thing.

i also bought some greeting cards today - which i dont normally do - but i need to work my way back up to making my own envelopes and such. ease of access, as it were. but im on the rebound! thanks!