“There’s no way that Noel is guilty of any wrongdoing….dim peryg” I remember my Taid’s words vividly, almost 20 years ago when news had broken that local postmaster Mr Noel Thomas was being prosecuted for possible fraud at the local Gaerwen (Anglesey) Post Office.
As I’ve probably mentioned here before, I don’t watch much TV, but with Mr Bates gaining a lot
of national press attention, I felt compelled to give the ITV series a go.
If you’re not already aware, the docu-drama tells the true story of how hundreds of Post Masters were wrongly prosecuted for fraud and theft, between 1999 and 2015.
A problem with the Post Office’s accounts software was causing ‘black holes’ in each store’s accounts, which the Post Masters themselves were responsible for repaying.
The episodes give a realistic and detailed account (other than Noel, from Anglesey speaking with a south-walian accent!!) of the trauma suffered by the poor victims. All losing their jobs, many facing bankruptcy, and worse still, the shame of having a good local reputation tarnished. Noel Thomas spent months in prison, and some even committed suicide, such was the level of humiliation.
Every story needs a hero, and here it’s Mr Bates from Llandudno. Through sheer perseverance and determination, and despite his own suffering, he gathers those affected to fight the Post Office for justice in a real David vs Goliath story. Were my Taid still here, he would have been very pleased to hear of Mr Thomas’ redemption.
Well worth watching if you haven’t already.
