Author: Archive

With Slade and Status Quo blasting out of the jukebox, and excesses of food and booze, the modern Yuletide experience is not known for its self-restraint.

This year, however, one festive ritual will be somewhat toned down – sending your greetings cards.

After years favouring rather garish designs, the Royal Mail has revealed a set of Christmas stamps that are distinctly on the understated side.

The themes are traditional enough: holly with its bright red berries, a few leaves of ivy, a pinecone and some mistletoe.

Thirty Royal Mail staff worked through the weekend trying to clear a backlog of 50,000 letters at the Cheltenham sorting office.

The extra workers were drafted into Swindon Road where they sorted the post ready for delivery later this week.

Gywn Williams, sector operations manager for Gloucestershire, said first and second class mail will not be affected.