As a result of David Ruffley's personal intervention with the Chief Executive of the Post Office a meeting is being held on Friday, 10 January at 3.00 p.m. at Sicklesmere Post Office with Lin Norbury, Head of Area- Community Network East to discuss the future of the village sub-post office. Mr Laurie Marshall, Chairman of Great and Little Whelnetham Parish Council has also been invited to attend.

David said: 'I have exchanged strong words with the Post Office about the handling of this case. I have invited the Parish Council Chairman as well as Mrs Patricia Larman, the Sub-Postmistress, to a meeting I have personally called with Ms Lin Norbury, the Post Office's Head of Area. The closure is almost upon us and we are drinking at the last chance saloon, I am afraid. But I shall be arguing for common sense to prevail to keep the post office open.'