Post played critical role

Before the advent of technology, the regular postal service was the main way that people stayed in contact with each other.

 

This was the reminder that the Postmaster General, Margaret Ashby gave as she delivered remarks at the opening ceremony for the stamp exhibition commemorating the 50th anniversary of Barbados’ Independence on Monday at the General Post Office (GPO).

 

She stated that this is also the way that businesses corresponded with other companies.

 

“When we think of the various means of communication available today, it is difficult to imagine that the Post was so important a medium of transmitting information and remunerations. Long before the advent of the telephone and social media such as Skype, WhatsApp, Facebook or Twitter, the post office performed the critical role of facilitating communication for businesses and individuals to fuel the economy of Barbados.”

 

Such was the reliance by individual houses that the mailman coming to their neighbourhood armed with mail for them was an event in itself to look forward to and even today, Barbadians still frequent the post office to conduct various business activities, said the Postmaster General.

 

“In fact, life revolved around the postman as villagers eagerly watched for his arrival or listened for his knock and call to occupants ‘Post’. During this time there was no name such as “snail mail” as it was the only means of communication available to the average citizen. Little did they know that this local Post would later, be so critical to the young nation. Over the last 50 years the Post Office continued to adapt its suite of service and today it is common to come to the Post Office to pay utilities, market your products and services  (through our Direct Mail Service), apply for Visas, Barbados Passport, provide same day courier delivery of documents, prescriptions and gifts and a whole lot more.” (PJT)