by Sian Napier

Protesters of all ages, from children to pensioners, marched
through Whitstable on Saturday to protest against the closure
of the town's postal sorting office.

The march was organised by the Communications Workers' Union and
left the office in Cromwell Road and went past the Gorrell Tank car
park, along Harbour Street, the High Street and Oxford Street to
finish outside the library.

Before it set off campaigners, including Gazette columnist and
Whitstable postman Chris Stone, addressed the crowds.

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Mr Stone told supporters: "There was no consultation with staff
over these closures. It was just announced and we were not even
given any time to answer questions. All that matters now is profit
and the service will soon go out to a private company.

"Make no mistake, as that is what this is all about -
rationalisation of the service to privatise it. If you want to know
what privatisation means then take TNT in Holland, with just three
deliveries a week. It is our duty to stand against this and say it
is a wrong decision. If we don't do anything then it will be a done
deal."

Jon Flaig, from the Right to Work Campaign, told the protesters
that the country was facing probably the biggest attack on services
everyone relied on since the 1920s.

"It is a massive attack on this, the postal service and the NHS
- everything is being cut," he said. "We have to stand and fight to
save all these services over the next few months."

Chris Weller, from Unison, who lives in Whitstable said: "We are
campaigning against the loss of well-used public services. With the
planned cut of a third of public service staff there will be a
reduction in the level of services and we have to campaign against
these cuts by the Tory and Lib Dem coalition."

See this week's Gazette for full report and pictures.