Hoddesdon Sorting Office

It was “back to work” with a difference for Hoddesdon postmen and drivers, on September 14th 1964; for on that day the spacious new building housing the G.P.O. Sorting and Postmen’s Delivery Office in Conduit Lane opened for business.

The new sorting office has an area of 3,280 square feet, being well over three times the size of the former office at the rear of the Post Office in the High Street; and the new G.P.O. buildings, including the garage, in Conduit Lane, cover, in all, some 7000 square feet.

Post Office staff in around 1900, outside the present Post Office in the High Street, Hoddesdon

The 23 postmen and drivers, and the three postmen (higher grade) now work in a tastefully decorated building, illuminated by 35 strip lights. Centrally heated, it is a light, airy building with many windows; and swivel seats “line” each side of the long sorting racks.

There is also a spacious garage for the four mail vans, which between them cover an average of 1,600 to 1,700 miles each week.

If you have any images of the Post Office or Sorting Office at Hoddesdon, please contact the Museum.

Article by: Samantha Cross