Shadow Defence Minister investigates our mail problem!

We have locally a long running problem with parcel deliveries - sometimes it's fine but everytime there's a staff problem the parcel deliveries stop. Last Autumn it was dire - had to wait 2 months for some parcels to arrive. The local posties said that there was such a backlog that it had to be hidden in crates in a garage out the back so RM Inspectors couldnt see how bad it had got!

We had deliveries at odd time such as 3pm on a Sunday afternoon - as they tried to clear the backlog. Weeks later when they drafted in more staff they seemed to clear the more recent parcels first and the ones sent months earlier were left

I used to call and ask if I could collect my parcels (I get around 20-40 a week so you can imagine the backlog!!) but was told that I couldnt as they were not sorted. When they did arrive they arrived in large postal sacks and left outside my front door. Once I went away for a few days and found 3 sacks with around 60 parcels inside.

RM denied there was a problem and that was the official response from there. HQ said they could not do anything but go by the 'official response'

But by December it was all sorted again so I hoped it would be OK.

It was until around Jan/Feb time when staff shortages led to parcels taking 3-4 weeks to arrive. RM again denied there was a problem - although the local posties and Post office revealed the truth. The poor posties (they are a great bunch here) said they felt ashamed to work for Royal Mail. I emailed Alan Crozier a few times but it didnt amount to anything.

So contacted my local MP and found that this avenue DOES work. I assumed that being such a 'minor' incident (considering the state of the country right now) it wouldnt be sorted - but almost immediately I started getting letters from him from the House of Commons, follow up letters, copies of RM replies etc etc. VERY impressed!

Pictures show a few I have - I like the House of Commons paper. Very swish!

Not much to report on the doll front as I am too busy with Easter school holidays, chasing bunnies round the garden (they are very tame and it's fun to play with them) and packing orders - the sun seems to have good effects on orders and it's crazy here! My Escape to Hawaii fund is growing daily - which is exciting except for the fact that I have this urge to visit Hong Kong instead