Wales' Bethlehem prepares for annual Christmas post rush

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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t may be thousands of miles from its more famous namesake on the West Bank, but the Carmarthenshire village of Bethlehem attracts thousands of visitors every Christmas.

The Royal Mail special Angel handstamp, with a “Bethlehem” cancellation mark, brings customers from far and wide to the now famous village post office – with this year’s service starting on Monday, December 3.

This year’s festive stamps were designed by Axel Scheffler, the best-selling children’s illustrator, co-creator of the children’s favourite, The Gruffalo.


They feature traditional Christmas scenes including Father Christmas, festive robins, Christmas Trees and a reindeer.

The Bethlehem handstamp will be available daily for festive mail from Monday until December 18.

Royal Mail Director Tony Fox, said: “Christmas is a busy time of year for all our postmen and women and we are delighted to offer this special service again at this time of year. Thousands of our customers take advantage of this unique handstamp, which is stamped on the corner of every envelope, helping bring festive cheer to people who send and to those who receive the Bethlehem stamp of Christmas.”

Bethlehem Post Office subpostmaster, Mike Williams, said the season always proved extra busy for the Bethlehem branch.


“People come from all over the UK and abroad to hand deliver their cards to make sure they get the Bethlehem handstamp. Over the years we have had visitors from as far as America and Australia and more locally from visitors all over Wales.”

Bethlehem Post Office, usually open one afternoon a week, will be opening its doors full time from Monday until December 18. Opening times at the branch will be extended Monday-Friday from 10am to 4pm, and on Saturday 10am to noon.

Across Wales, millions of items are expected to pass through mail centres and delivery offices serving Wales – from Fishguard to Bangor, Wrexham to Newport – in the weeks leading up to Christmas Day.

Mr Fox added said: “We would like to remind our customers to post early so that friends and family have longer to enjoy their Christmas greetings.”

[Lounge Lizard]

“People come from all over the UK and abroad to hand deliver their cards to make sure they get the Bethlehem handstamp. Over the years we have had visitors from as far as America and Australia and more locally from visitors all over Wales.” - surely Australians would have a shorter journry to the original Bethlehem than the Welsh one. better weather in the West Bank one too.

[TeeferTiger]

“People come from all over the UK and abroad to hand deliver their cards to make sure they get the Bethlehem handstamp. Over the years we have had visitors from as far as America and Australia and more locally from visitors all over Wales.” - surely Australians would have a shorter journry to the original Bethlehem than the Welsh one. better weather in the West Bank one too.

Not so many missiles in Wales though...