Aldwick post master recives civic award - just before branch is axed

Cllr Ashvin Patel has been inaugurated as the new chairman of Arun District Council.

But the ceremony to install him as the district's first citizen came just before Post Office Ltd shuts his branch tomorrow (Friday, May 16).

The Aldwick Road outlet, within the Tudor Newsagency, is one of five branches around Bognor Regis to be closed as part of a national cutback of the network.

Cllr Patel (58) has run the branch with his wife, Kalpana, since 1987. He said: "It is very sad for the post office and it bothers me a lot.

"I know it's a good moment for me to be taking over as the chairman of the district council. But my business comes first and my customers come first and it's hard to accept what is happening.

"I have been dealing with some of my customers for 21 years. Sixty per cent of my customers don't drive. Many of them can hardly walk to this post office. I don't know how they are going to get to another one."

Tudor Newsagency will remain open after the removal of the post office branch.

Cllr Patel took over as Arun's chairman last Wednesday after a year as the vice-chairman to Cllr Graham Tyler. He said it was a privilege and a pleasure to accept the chairmanship. He promised tradition and innovation in the coming year.

"I will also be totally commited to raising as much money and awareness as possible for my chosen charity, the Royal British Legion," he said.

"I truly believe they are one of the most worthy causes in our country."

Cllr Patel, who has a degree in chemistry, moved to Aldwick 21 years ago with Kalpana, their daughter Urvi and son Jai.

After forging friendships and strong ties within the community, he decided to become a councillor and has been one of the three Conservative ward members for Pagham and Rose Green for the past nine years.

He has served on many council committees and has just stood down as the chairman of the licensing committee to enable him to become chairman.

He has also been a governor at one of the Rose Green schools and is an active member of Aldwick Preservation Society.

His spare time also sees him playing badminton at the Six Villages Sports Centre.

Replacing Cllr Patel as Arun's vice-chairman is Cllr Don Ayling (Arundel).