Now there is a guessing game over where the axe will fall.

And naturally – perhaps rightly – people are preparing to battle the closures and keep open what many regard as an essential service and part of the community in small towns and villages.

Calderdale Council is poised to lead the fight to protect post offices in the district.

It is an unusual stance but one which will certainly add weight to any campaign.

It is just a shame that when we all want to move forward and make life better in Calderdale, so much time and effort needs to be devoted to protecting something we already have.

Why do the powers-that-be think they have to change everything all the time?

These closures are not progress, they are a clear step backwards. For many villagers, losing their post office will make life harder, not easier.

It is time we ended this roller-coaster of needless and doubtful cost-cutting efficiencies. And if that takes a concerted campaign over our post offices, then so be it.

You cannot halt progress, but you can stop decline.