Major changes are in store for the Royal Mail, which began, in the 12th century with Henry I who had messengers carry letters for the government. Before this people had to make their own arrangements. The first thing he did was provide them with uniforms. One of the best parts of Britain is all of the uniforms. I’m certain they were fabulous, but sadly it’s far too long ago for any to have survived. Edward I instituted the first "posting houses" and Edward II brought the first postal marking notations. These were written by hand saying, "Haste, post haste."
I happened to go to my post office today and love the choice of different types of stamps is utterly amazing. I picked the Vintage Seed Packets but I could have chosen from a cool Ray Charles stamp, Innovative Choreographers, a Wedding Cake, Love, a Tufted Puffin, Year of the Snake, Rosa Parks, Modern Art in America, Muscle Cars, or a Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly to name a few! In Great Britain, you have the reigning monarch. Don’t get me wrong, I love those stamps too. What is truly suppressing is that we don’t have one of Her Majesty, as many Americans are huge fans of British Royalty. I would trade those cool British Pillar-boxes with our boring blue mail boxes that you can never find any day.
The Royal Mail has around 150,000 permanent employees and hires about 18,000 "casual workers" to assist with the Christmas post. As late as 2004, Britain had twice daily delivery. On October 15th the government will privatize the Royal Mail through a flotation on the London Stock Exchange. Royal Mail employees will be given 10% of the shares and the public is able to buy shares. Up to 62% of the business will be sold and the state will own the rest. The shrinking need for a postal system would have no doubt shocked Henry I. Many people in Great Britain are upset with the changes. However, any institution that has been around since the 12th century, is bound to survive whatever changes are in store.
 |
| Photo by Julie Fennell Antique Morris Minor |
 |
| Pillar-Box |
The Royal Mail has around 150,000 permanent employees and hires about 18,000 "casual workers" to assist with the Christmas post. As late as 2004, Britain had twice daily delivery. On October 15th the government will privatize the Royal Mail through a flotation on the London Stock Exchange. Royal Mail employees will be given 10% of the shares and the public is able to buy shares. Up to 62% of the business will be sold and the state will own the rest. The shrinking need for a postal system would have no doubt shocked Henry I. Many people in Great Britain are upset with the changes. However, any institution that has been around since the 12th century, is bound to survive whatever changes are in store.
