The village hall in Sidbury offers post office services once a week:
Sidbury Village Website
And whilst "93% of the UK population live within one mile of a Post Office" - there are those in rural areas who do not:

The hamlet of Salcombe Regis has one post box (and an Old Post Office) and, like Sidmouth, a relatively elderly population which relies on regular postal collections.

There are now growing concerns that the pending privatisation of Royal Mail will further reduce services to outlying communities.

A poll in Thursay's Telegraph shows strong opposition to the proposals:

Royal Mail privatisation: Government confirms flotation within weeks

The Government has confirmed plans to float the Royal Mail "in the coming weeks" in the most ambitious privatisation for a generation and one that could anger postal workers.

Steve Hawkes, Consumer Affairs Editor

12 Sep 2013

Research over the weekend suggested 70pc of the public was opposed to the privatisation plan. Mr Fallon [Business Minister] said there had always been concerns about privatisation, but added: "There are members of the public that still don't appreciate that Royal Mail is separate from the Post Office.

"The Post Office is not being sold off, there is no threat to the local Post Office, there is no threat to the six day service."

Do you agree with the Royal Mail privatisation? (Poll Closed)

Yes 27.94% (409 votes)

No 72.06% (1,055 votes)

Total Votes: 1,464

Royal Mail privatisation: Government confirms flotation within weeks - Telegraph

This follows on from a story in the Guardian about growing fears in Conservative backbenches:

Royal Mail privatisation could cost rural Tories their seats, says thinktank | UK news | The Guardian

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