First class move by Royal Mail over vans – The Yorkshire Post says

Yet such flippancy masks major changes in mail deliveries as the focus switches from letters to parcels, hence the planned trial of electric vans in Leeds.

The 21st century equivalent of Postman Pat, minus the famous black and white cat that helped to make this such an enchanting children’s TV series, it is a necessary step if the Royal Mail is to protect its nationwide service as it continues to come under threat from private couriers.

Of course there are those who begrudge the price of a first class stamp – it currently stands at 76p.

But this is still good value given how the Royal Mail have to manage their costs, overheads and still high public expectations.

And the joy that many get from receiving a letter or card from friends, particularly during the lockdown, can be priceless.

Editor’s note: first and foremost – and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity – I hope this finds you well.

Almost certainly you are here because you value the quality and the integrity of the journalism produced by The Yorkshire Post’s journalists – almost all of which live alongside you in Yorkshire, spending the wages they earn with Yorkshire businesses – who last year took this title to the industry watchdog’s Most Trusted Newspaper in Britain accolade.

And that is why I must make an urgent request of you: as advertising revenue declines, your support becomes evermore crucial to the maintenance of the journalistic standards expected of The Yorkshire Post. If you can, safely, please buy a paper or take up a subscription. We want to continue to make you proud of Yorkshire’s National Newspaper but we are going to need your help.

Postal subscription copies can be ordered by calling 0330 4030066 or by emailing subscriptions@jpimedia.co.uk. Vouchers, to be exchanged at retail sales outlets – our newsagents need you, too – can be subscribed to by contacting subscriptions on 0330 1235950 or by visiting www.localsubsplus.co.uk where you should select The Yorkshire Post from the list of titles available.

If you want to help right now, download our tablet app from the App / Play Stores. Every contribution you make helps to provide this county with the best regional journalism in the country.