Ryde Social Heritage Group research the social history of the citizens of Ryde, Isle of Wight. Documenting their lives, businesses and burial transcriptions.
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Exit the Mail Carts 1909

Royal Mail Carts

The public of the Island have seen the vermillion carts conveying His Majesty’s mails into Ryde for the last time.  The old order has been superseded, and in future the mail bags will be carried to and from Cowes by special train.

One might almost regret the departure of the old Royal Mail carts from Island roads, yet the wonder is that they have survived so long, even in the Isle of Wight.  This Friday morning the mail van made its last journey for the Post Office, and if the vehicle travels over the road again it will have to be disguised as the less distinguished conveyance of an ordinary tradesman.

Note:
A Travelling Post Office (TPO) was a type of mail train used in Great Britain and Ireland where the post was sorted on route.

The first postal movement by rail was performed by the Liverpool and Manchester Railway on 11 November 1830.  By 1914, there were 126 TPO carriages in operation throughout the United Kingdom.  The Railways Act 1838 was an act of Parliament which received royal assent on 14 August 1838, it required the transport of the Royal Mail by railways at a standardised fee.

Sources: IW Observer October 1909  & Wikipedia
Image: RSHG
Article: Ann Barrett