To think 60p is too much for first class stamp?

In all this, we have of course forgotten the postie, some of them might well lose their jobs, although I hope not. Our postie is a delight, he always has a quick word if he meets you and obviously enjoys his work. Some of the people on this retired persons site cannot get to the door, so he takes their mail right into their homes, and probably stops for a quick hallo - he often says to us, when he delivers junk mail, 'more for re-cycling!' So what comes round, goes round!

It's sad really - but what with e-mail and now the high cost of sending letters it is an art that is about to be lost. Look how many historical books contain the reams of letters that people used to write. My grandfather once told me that they had 3 deliveries a day. If you posted a letter to a local address in the early morning and caught the first delivery it would arrive in the late afternoon in the 3rd delivery. Now even with the 12 bob stamp we aren't confident it will arrive the next day. When I lived in New York I really looked forward to letters from home and the reverse when I came back. It was lovely to have that envelope in your hand, get a coffee, and sit down and read. I e-mail everyone now, love to hear from people, but it doesn't have the same frisson.

When I lived in East Africa, I loved receiving and sending letters. I wish my mother had kept my letters as a record of what I got up to - or what I told her.

Annobel

When we lived abroad the post came on Tues/Thurs only at least you knew that you where not getting a bill every day !!!

I do think that is far too much for a stamp , it was DD"s birthday two days ago , because now can"t just put card in post with stamp on , they are "sized" so had to take it to the post office to have it weighed and the stamp cost nearly as much as the card itself .

My mum always sent me postage stamps when I was a student nurse so that I could keep in touch. They were relatively expensive in the sixties too. I like writing and receiveing letters so I will just have to pay up.

It`s the Christmas posting that I`m not looking forward to, we`re in Lincolnshire, but all mine and hubby`s siblings are in Lancashire and Yorkshire.

Most of the Christmas cards I write are for family and friends who live miles away! I really don't want to stop sending cards, and last year to make it easier, I started buying stamps about a month before. However, this year, think I'll have to start in September...

Start buying now, the price rise is on 1st May.

Good idea Hattie!

I`ve managed to accumulate 3 books of 2nd class and one of 1st class stamps, will have to use them sparingly!

I thought the price rise was 30th April? Have to check, but don't get caught out!

Here it is!

Gosh! You're busy on this site this evening anagram. But thanks for this. How can I delete the new thread on this subject? Advice would be appreciated.

Don't think you can, jack. We'll just have to hope no one else post on it and it'll gradually fade away.....

Most of the 1st class mail in Europe is more expensive than here. I think the problem is partly that it has been such a big rise in one go and the silly thing is that the second class is not much less. You get the feeling that Royal Mail are trying to get us to pay for 1st class and will eventually do away with 2nd.