Alloa Post Office The future of Alloa Crown Post Office is one which has come to the fore again recently. I am particularly disappointed to note the news emanating from Post Office Ltd that a number of businesses have expressed an interest in taking over Post Office services in the town.

It has been disclosed that one preferred bidder has been identified and that negotiations are under way which could see an agreement signed within the next few months that would signal the end of Post Office services at the current unit in Alloa Town Centre. The identity of the preferred bidder cannot be confirmed due to commercial confidentiality agreements.

After documents are signed, the relocation issue is put to a six week public consultation and whilst I and others, including Post Office users will continue to fight tooth and nail to retain an independently located Post Office in Alloa Town centre it appears as though the chances of success are getting slimmer by the day as this new preferred and unidentified bidder has emerged.

I have already written to the major retailers in the town and all have denied expressing any such interest in taking over the Post Office. This therefore leads me to believe that a new retailer is planning to come to Alloa and I would urge such a retailer to make their interests known.

I have again asked representatives of Post Office Ltd to return to Alloa to explain themselves at another public meeting. The six-week public consultation will give residents in the town another opportunity to express their views and I would encourage constituents to contact me with their views on this important issue.

Remembrance Sunday This year, 2014, has special resonance, as the 4th of August marked the 100th anniversary of the day Britain entered the First World War, one of the costliest conflicts in history in terms of lives lost, with hostilities continuing until Armistice Day, the 11th of November 1918.

In a few weeks our Clackmannanshire community comes together on Remembrance Sunday to reflect on those who gave their lives, serving their country in two World Wars, we must always remember that we owe them an enormous debt of gratitude, because without doubt, they have made the world a safer place for future generations.

Whilst we do this, we must also be forever grateful to those service men and women who continue to protect our interests in all corners of the world, and these thanks must extend to their families, who make their own sacrifice and must miss their loved ones deeply in their absence.