Mr. C. H. Cunnington, Rushden’s new postmaster who, as reported in the “Echo and Argus” last week, took over his duties in the town on September 1st, has pronounced up-to-date views on the postal service. He is one who feels that the postal staff, from the chief officer to the young messenger boy, must be as human as other mortals. He insists upon service, and invites the public to keep him busy.

Brisk and energetic, Mr. Cunnington already suspects the Rushden public of missing advantages they could have enjoyed.

“If any member of the public wants advice on Post Office matters,” he told an “Echo and Argus” reporter, “they have only got to ask at the counter for information, and if they are not satisfied they can ask for the postmaster, and he will be only too happy to help them.

“It is my sincere wish that the Post Office at Rushden should be of great use to the community, and especially to the business community. I am very keen on seeing the telephone developed and on seeing the postal service in this district used to the utmost extent.”

Quick Delivery

There were many facilities, Mr. Cunnington added, of which the public were not aware. Then he explained how for half-a-crown an important letter brought to the Rushden post office in the middle of the morning could be rushed to London and delivered in the afternoon; how, on the other hand, express letter fees could be wasted. The point in either case was that the Rushden staff would always give an enquirer sound and full advice.

Mr. Cunnington has left Belper, in Derbyshire, with the reputation of being an alert and progressive postmaster, courteous and civil. He began as a telegraph messenger at Oakham, in his native county of Rutland, soon graded as a learner, and passed on to sorting and telegraphy.

From 1906 to 1915 he was at Stamford; then he enlisted in the Royal Engineers and served his country in the Dardanelles (including the evacuation of Suvla Bay), on the Suez Canal and in France.

Returning to Stamford as supervising clerk, he became postmaster in Belper in 1925.

Houses Numbered

Rushden’s new postal chief was astonished to hear that the town has no Chamber of Trade. At Belper he worked vigorously for business development and was last year the Chamber of Trade president, leading in the promotion of a big exhibition.

“Are all the houses in Rushden numbered?” he asked, and, satisfied on this point, he described the struggle to secure a system of numbering at Belper. In this, it appears, he was a persistent agitator.

Mr. Cunnington says he has not much time for hobbies, but he was Vicar’s Warden at Christ Church, Belper, and used to be a member of the Stamford Amateur Operatic Society. His wife is a good contralto singer.

“From what I have seen of it,” said Mr. Cunnington cheerfully at the conclusion of the interview, “Rushden is in most respects an up-to-date business town, and that’s what makes me so optimistic.”

Presentation to Mr. E. R. Roberts
Tribute from Post Office Staff
Retirement Marked by Handsome Gift

A presentation, which took the form of a handsome silver teapot, a gift from the Rushden Post Office staff and some members of the Wellingborough staff, was made on Wednesday evening to Mr. E. R. Roberts, who recently retired from the position of Postmaster at Rushden, through ill-health. The ceremony took place at Mrs. Campion’s house, Church-street, and the gift was handed to Mr. Roberts on behalf of the Rushden staff, by Mr. H. Byner, head Postmaster at Wellingborough.

In addition Mr. Byner handed to Mr. P. Webb, who has been a postman at Rushden but who has had to retire on account of an accident, a silver cigarette case, which had been subscribed to by members of the Rushden staff.

There was a good company present and a pleasant social evening was enjoyed.

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