Blackmore: End of Era as Blackmore Post Office Relocates

End of Post Office

Thursday 24 November 2016 is a sad day for local historians in Blackmore, as it marks the final day of trading at Blackmore Post Office which opened in 1888, and has above its door ‘JHA 1888’ where this is John Henry Arthy the first postmaster on the premises.  John Henry Arthy is recorded a churchwarden of the Parish Church and has his name inscribed on a bell recast in 1901.

Times change.  The Post Office moves to the local Cooperative Store on the following day and is very much a trend.

My great great uncle, Robert Knight (23, bachelor) married Augusta Arthy (22, spinster) on 29^th October 1865 at St Leonard’s Church, Lexden.  Robert lived in Water Lane, Lexden, Augusta in Shore Hill in the same parish.  Robert was a carter, his father-in-law, John, a husbandman.  Augusta’s brother I believe, looking at my notes from 2006, was John Henry Arthy.

Final days of Blackmore Post Office

Blackmore: A Stroll with Mr Spalding

A selection of Edwardian postcards taken by Fred Spalding of Chelmsford. 

Looking along The Green from the junction of Brentwood Road,
now Blackmore Road. On the right is The Prince Albert PH.
The roof line on the left is of The Post Office

Blackmore Post Office

Horsefayre Green with view of The Leather Bottle pub

Fingrith Hall Road

Church Street showing Little Jericho on the left

Blackmore: Postcards

A selection of postcards showing the village of Blackmore (Essex) is now available to view on ‘Blackmore. Then and Now’ on the main ‘Blackmore Area Local History’ site. Visit http://www.blackmorehistory.co.uk/blackmore_then-and-now.html.

Pictured above is Blackmore Post Office with Albert Cottage and the Prince Albert public house at the beginning of the twentieth century.

Blackmore: Postmark - 26 February 1908

Anonymous wrote to Miss Foxall, 4 Arthur Road, Stoke Newington, London:
"If fine you may expect me on Friday 28th the following day if wet about tea time"

Blackmore: Post Office

In business since 1888, still going strong, and an important part of the community of Blackmore.

From the BBC’s People’s War website there is reference to a telephone exchange at Blackmore Post Office. “Albert knocked loudly on the door to the Blackmore Post office to rouse the postmistress (a well known bossy-boots who, it is alleged, listened in on telephone conversations)”.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/48/a5073248.shtml