20/05/2022
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Postmasters and Postmistresses across the UK are gearing up to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
UK’s oldest Postmistress
The UK’s oldest Postmistress, Olive Norris MBE, aged 92 and still serving Post Office customers in the Norfolk village of Thompson has a host of plans to mark the long weekend.
Olive’s daughter Teresa and son-in-law, have helped her to put up bunting and flags at the Post Office. Olive, who is also known as Betty by her customers as her middle name is Elizabeth, has a treat for all the youngsters in the village. She is gifting a special Platinum Jubilee 50p coin to every child to help them remember this momentous occasion. These will be presented at the Platinum Jubilee party being held in the village.
Olive Norris, who has been a Postmistress for 31 years, said: “We always have parties in Thompson to mark special Royal occasions. I think the Queen is amazing. She is a great role model. We are nearly the same age and we are both still working. My Father bought a television especially so that we could watch the Coronation. The day that I was presented an MBE for services to the community was unforgettable day and one that I will always cherish.”
Olive’s husband, Archie, was the Postmaster before her. He was also postmaster for Watton and Carbrooke. Archie ran Thompson Post Office and the village shop from 1948 and Olive started working there after their marriage in 1955, which means that Olive has worked at Thompson Post Office for an incredible 67 years.
Postmistress invited to Royal Garden Party
Sonya Cary, who is Postmistress for Pontrilas and was awarded a British Empire Medal in the Queens’ Birthday Honours last year for services to the local community in Pontrilas and 22 other nearby villages, is gearing up to mark the Jubilee.
Initially Sonya set up a Community Interest Company to operate the Post Office and shop to ensure these vital services would remain for the community. Profits from that were then invested into a community café, twice-weekly lunch club and bingo to help combat loneliness and malnutrition in the elderly in this very rural, farming community.
Sonya Cary said: “To have achieved the BEM and to be invited to Buckingham Palace is great acknowledgment of everything that we have achieved in Pontrilas and all the lives that we have improved. People often comment that there is now a real buzz and community spirit in Pontrilas and we have made a difference to the lives of many people from outlying areas too.”
The fun begins on June 3 with a Jubilee high tea and a Royal fancy dress competition.
Most northerly Post Office
Valerie Johnson, Postmistress for Baltasound, the UK’s most northern Post Office is getting ready to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. There are three main settlements in Unst with Baltasound being the central one and Valerie is pulling out the stops to decorate her branch with lots of bunting and flags to mark the historic milestone. Valerie whose family also keep sheep and Shetland ponies on the remote Shetland Island, are currently busy with the lambing and foaling season but wanted to make sure that the branch was decorated for the Jubilee.
Valerie has been the Postmistress for 24 years said: “I do like the Royal Family especially the Queen, so I wanted to make sure I decorated my branch. This Jubilee is extra special as it marks the Queen’s 70 years reign. The Queen is a great figurehead, she has seen so much change in her life and she has always been there for us.”
Sandringham estate
Postmaster Mark Eldridge and his wife Kerry have been very busy decorating Great Massingham Stores & Post Office and their Great Massingham Mobile Post Office which provides Office services to 16 rural villages and communities in North Norfolk.
Twice a week, the Great Massingham Post Office visits West Newton, a village next to the Queen’s Sandringham Estate.
Postmaster Mark Eldridge said: “In Norfolk we are really excited about the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. My team and I have been busy decorating our shop and Mobile Post Office. Both look very colourful. Scones are always very popular in our coffee shop. They are baked fresh every day. We are having special Jubilee afternoon teas. There will be sandwiches, cakes and scones.”
Nick Read, Post Office Chief Executive, said:
“I’m honoured to offer our thanks and congratulations to Her Majesty on behalf of the Post Office for her hard work and service over a phenomenal 70-year reign.
“I know that Postmasters and our branches are excited to celebrate this very special occasion and will be playing their part in community festivities up and down the country.
“For over 360 years we’ve been providing vital services to our customers. From people paying bills to businesses posting parcels or just being there as a friendly face and a community hub, we are proud to serve over 11,500 communities across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland today.”
New 50p coin
Earlier this year, Post Office rolled out the new 50p coin to mark The Queen’s Jubilee on behalf of the Royal Mint via its 11,500 branches. Post Offices in Windsor and close to Sandringham were amongst the first branches to get the new coin.
Postmaster Umesh Sanghani and his wife Rashmita have run Dedworth Green Post Office in Windsor for 23 years.
Postmaster Umesh Sanghani, said: “We had had many customers coming into our Post Office to check that we are going to get the special 50p coin. They didn’t want to miss out on this souvenir. I am a Royalist. It is amazing that the Queen has reached her 70thanniversary. I am really looking forward to the celebrations this year.”
Please contact the Post Office press office for images of any of the casestudies highlighted in the press release
Post Office have further examples of Postmasters and Postmistresses going out of their way to celebrate the Jubilee. Please contact the Post Office press office
