From the 'Suffolk Free Press' of Thursday 10, 17 February and 17 March 1966

 

Mr Michael Goddard...


Mr Michael Goddard, who on Monday took up his duties as Sudbury Station Manager, comes to the town from Whittlesford, Cambs, where he was Station Master. Mr Goddard will be in charge of all the Stour line and will be assisted by Mr Horace Staniforth, formerly Station Master of Gamlingay and Potton on the Cambridge-Bedford line.

10 February 1966

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New look to local railway


The Stour Valley railway, last week, began a new way of operation.


There are six less station masters and in their place are two new faces, a station manager and his assistant, both based at Sudbury.


The manager, Mr Michael Goddard, and his deputy, Mr Horace Staniforth, are now supervising the whole line including the 13 stations from Chappel and Wakes Colne in Essex to Pampisford in Cambridgeshire.


Under a plan by British Rail to streamline supervision, all station masters appointments will, in time, give way to station managers.


On the Stour line it is anticipated the new set-up will not make any appreciable differences as far as the general public are concerned, although quite naturally the cheerful faces of several well-known station masters will be missed.


RETIRED


Station masters retired under the new arrangements are Mr H. R. Postle (Sudbury), Mr V. Boulton (Haverhill) and Mr L. Purdy (Linton).


In addition Mr R. Gray (Bures) is now on the Sudbury station staff, Mr R. Skipsey (Long Melford) has taken up a clerical appointment at Glemsford and Mr H. Stonebridge (Clare) is now a clerk at Norwich

17 February 1966.

 

Let's say thanks to Mr Postle



Mr Postle, our Sudbury Station Master, enters into retirement on Thursday of this week.


There are, we know, many in the town and district who have, personally, cause to be grateful to him for the helpfulness, courtesy and kindness which he has always extended to travellers.


We feel that an opportunity should be given for an expression of this gratitude by means of a testimonial, contributions to which may be left at King's, 8 Market Hill or directed there to Mr Kisby.


WINIFRED BANHAM

AUBREY HERBERT
GEOFFREY KISBY
ALAN PHILLIPS

17 February 1966

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Sudbury Mayor presents town's gift to

Mr Postle



Mr H. R. Postle, who until he retired this year was Sudbury's station master for 14 years, last week received a cheque for £150 - the result of a public subscription to mark his retirement.


The presentation of the cheque was made at last week's borough council meeting by the Mayor, Mr Stanley Wood, who paid tribute to our old friend.


The cheque, he said, was not a testimonial simply to a good station master. It was a tribute to a man who went out of his way to help people - help beyond the requirements of his duty.


HIGH REGARD


The response to the appeal, said the Mayor, was proof of the high regard with which he was held by the people of Sudbury and district.


Mrs Postle could not be present but a presentation to Mr Postle of a bowl of plants, was made by Cllr Mrs Kathleen Hitchcock.


Mr Postle said he had been 'overwhelmed' and it was difficult to know how to express his appreciation and gratitude. He thanked all those who had organised and subscribed to the appeal.


He added: "I have had a very pleasant time in Sudbury and my wife and I hope to live out the rest of our lives here".


Mr Postle has also received £25 privately from a local factory and he and his wife were recently presented with a set of crystal wine glasses from the staff at Sudbury railway station.

17 March 1966