GRIFFYDAM HISTORY

Griffydam Post Office was opened on the 6th June 1892. It was a sub-post office, responsible to the main Post Office at Ashby de la Zouch and in 1916 it became responsible to Leicester.

 

The map indicates the location of a Post Office on Middle Road, Griffydam on the corner where Middle Road meets the Tentas. It is thought to have been operated from the property that is now known as "Westleigh" shown in the photograph.

 

In 1911 Herbert Rowell and his family lived in the Post Office. He is listed as a grocer and baker so we assume groceries and bread could also be purchased there.  Herbert was also a well known local preacher and a trustee of Griffydam Wesleyan Methodist Chapel. 

​

Mr. John Batson was the first man to receive the old age pension at Griffydam Post Office. He once lived with his son who was proprietor of the Rising Sun in Griffydam, until the public-house was permanently closed in 1908.

​

Herbert Rowell died on the 23rd December 1932 aged 74 and his wife Maria on June 27th 1932 aged 74 also. They are both buried in the same grave in the Griffydam Wesleyan Methodist Chapel graveyard.

​

At some point between c.1932 and 1939, the Post Office was taken over by Tom Saddington (a colliery safety shaftsman b. 30th April 1892) and his wife Florence (nee Rowell, daughter of Herbert Rowell). The Saddington family were the last to run the post office.

 

The post office was replaced by Pegg's Green Post Office on the 30th of April 1975.

 

​​​

​

Further along Middle Road there is a house which in the 1950s was a sweet shop run by Mrs Brooks.  Children walking to and from the school on School Lane would stop here to buy their sweets. The sweets were stored in large jars and the shopkeeper Mrs Brooks filled a triangular paper bag for a penny.