300-year-old Doncaster landmark becomes Post Office and could host museum

And there are plans to extend its use for more purposes including a possible museum when restrictions due to the coronavirus end.

The Masters House in Braithwell, said to have been built in 1698, is to be used as a post office from today (Friday).

The move follows talks between Braithwell with Micklebring Parish Council and the Post Office.

Parish Council clerk Di Hoyes said: “They have agreed to open up at the Masters House for a couple of hours on Fridays.

“The Post Office initially said we’d have to pay for a communications line to be installed. But when we explained that we have an elderly population, with 21 per cent over 70 who struggle to get into town, they installed one for us.”

It will be open as a post office from 9.30am until 11.30am, a time when the nearby doctors surgery is also open.

It will be part of the Post Office outreach programme, and will be overseen by Edlington Post Office.

The building has been out of action for several weeks since lockdown put an end to a number community activities that were held there.

But there are plans to use it more when restrictions are finally lifted.

"We’re hoping to develop a coffee shop and a farming museum in the building as well,” Ms Hoyes said.

The parish council is taking over the management of the building from a group of trustees which had run it in the past.

It is understood that the building was originally run as a school, but in more modern times it has had a number of other community uses and has been used for events such as coffee mornings.

In recent years it has also been used by the village’s guide and brownie groups.

Braithwell’s ward councillor Martin Greenhalgh said: “Myself and my colleague Nigel Cannings are fully supportive of this. There are great plans for the Masters House in what is a wonderful village with connections to the Mayflower and the Pilgrim Fathers.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.