Business News

Quorn Post Office News

Hopefully by the time you read this article, many of you will have already used the "Pin Pads" sited on our counters. The conversion of payment of benefits into accounts (known as direct payment) is well under way - you have the choice of having your money paid into a bank account or of opening a Post Office card account. At the moment we can do banking via the pin pad for Barclays, Lloyds TSB and Alliance and Leicester current account customers free of charge and also basic bank account holders. We can also cash Co-op Bank cheques and paying in to these current accounts for cash or cheques is also possible with the use of printed paying in books.

The Post Office card account is purely for the receipt of benefits, nothing else can be paid into these accounts and the money is accessed by using the card and the pin pad with a four digit number. The account is a good way of having your benefit paid if you want to keep this money separate from any other and once the account is opened up, operating it is very easy! This account is the one you need if you wish to appoint an agent to draw the money on your behalf.

If anyone is unsure of their options or needs any help pop in and see Sue or Ian who will beglad to help.

Remember do your banking at the Post Office, it is all free for certain banks and you get a choice as to how your money is given to you -cash machines do not give you this option!

Also we will be doing "E" top ups for mobile phones hopefully from November, this is another new service we will be offering to our already growing range.

These new products and services are going to be our future as benefit payments over the post office counter decline.

Christmas 2003 at the Conservative Club

As winter approaches and the hours of daylight shorten, there is no let up in renovation work being carried out at the Cons. Club here in Quorn. Interior decoration is well on the way to completion, as members and guests are fully appreciating, and the overall effect has been helping towards the dramatic increase in bar turnover. The Latham Room to the rear of the building has a completely new roof, and like-wise, an internal skylight has been replaced.

"Leaking ceilings are blessings of the past!" The emphasis over the next half-year will be onexterior repairs and paint work, that is weather permitting, but all will come in good time.

Indeed, it has been a reassuring to see so many old friends using the club again, especially on Monday evenings since the village dart's league has recommenced, and on Saturdays when games and live entertainment continue to provide a major attraction. It is especially pleasing to see that this increase in usage of the club facilities has been across all age groups.

Plans are now well under way for Christmas 2003 and we shall look forward to making our Club New Year celebrations the "best for many a long year".

Steve Reid, Secretary

"Keepsafe" service from Quorn Post Office

If you are going away for the festive season how about a "Keepsafe" which is a service available from Royal Mail which enables your mail to be held for you while you are away, much better than piling up on your doorstep until you get back. Pop in to the post office and pick up a leaflet, remember to do it at least one week before you need it to start.

Travelling abroad this Christmas? Order your foreign currency and American Express Travellers Cheques from Quorn Post Office, no commission on anything except sterling travellers' cheques. We need just three days notice.

Our Travel Insurance is also excellent value, children go free! These policies can be issued immediately over the counter.

Goodbye to Bill and Lill Walker of The Blackies

Bill and Lill Walker of The Blacksmith Arms, better known as The Blackies, hang the towels over the pumps for the last time after 12 years, on Monday 1st December. During this time, it has been a popular meeting place for many Quorn residents.

The pub, over the years has not changed a lot; it's still a traditional, British Pub; no juke box, no fruit machine.

Bill and Lill are looking forward to their retirement but sorry to leave all the friends they have made over the years. Bill and Brenda Robinson from Derby will be taking the pub over and can be sure of a warm village welcome.

We look forward to bringing you an interview with Bill and Brenda in the next issue.