When it comes to then-and-now comparisons, email versus snail mail is in a league of its own. To show just how far we have come, let me offer you a fascinating glimpse of the way things were in Falmouth back in the 19th Century, writes Mike Truscott.

Starting at the age of 23, Newberry Cox was the town’s postmaster from 1856 to 1896 and he very obligingly wrote a book of reminiscences.

In his early years, the Post Office was situated in Bell’s Court (later Falmouth Working Men’s Club) with public access through a passage window of just 2ft x 1ft 6ins. It was open from 7am to 10 pm (repeat pm!).

No time was allowed for staff meals – which had to be snatched “as occasion presented itself” – and even after 10 pm their duties were not over.

The down North Mail – four-horse coach from Plymouth – was then due to arrive at Pearce’s Royal Hotel, the local coach service HQ in Market Street.

There were three town postmen, with weekly wages of 12s (60p), 10s (50p) and 6s (30p) respectively.

There were two deliveries daily and one on Sunday, with no extra pay for Sunday work or overtime.

Up to 4,000 letters a week would lie in Falmouth Post Office awaiting the arrival of the numerous ships which then frequented the port. (In 1876 there were more than 6,000 of them.) Postage stamps had not yet advanced to the stage where they were perforated – each had to be cut from a sheet with scissors.

In 1868, backed by leading Falmouth bankers, merchants, shipowners and others, Mr Cox bought two old houses next to the Polytechnic Hall in Church Street and the new Post Office was built on this site.