Gill and Colin Kyme, whose family have run Newton on Trent Post Office for exactly 100 years, have decided it is time to retire on 10 June.
The Post Office has been at 6 High Street, LN1 2JS, since 1924, alongside the family home until Colin’s Dad, Edgar, built the village shop and Post Office in 1966.
The first family member to run Newton on Trent Post Office was Colin’s Great Aunt, Fanny Baker, followed by his Grandmother Mary Kyme in 1957. His Dad, Edgar, took over in 1964 until 1995. Since then, Colin’s wife Gill has been the Postmistress whilst he concentrated on the retail side of the village shop.
Postmistress, Gill Kyme, said: “Colin, I and daughter-in-law, Mandy Kyme, have really enjoyed running the shop and Post Office for the past 29 years. The village has increased in size since I moved here, but it is a close-knit village. People here are lovely. People are sad we are closing, but they know that we have worked hard and understand that it is time for us to retire.
“I love to chat to people and it is going to be very strange to go from talking to people all day long to not be doing so. I will be going for walks just to speak to people until I adjust.
“We managed to stay open during the pandemic and we were really busy as people wanted to stay local and to send parcels to people that they could not see, plus lots of home shopping returns. People were very good - they socially distanced from each other and happily chatted whilst they waited outside. Customers found it reassuring to see friendly familiar faces.”
Post Office Area Manager, Joanne Fryatt, said: “I want to sincerely thank Gill and Colin and their family for being at the heart of this community for 100 years, which is an impressive amount of time. I wish them a well-earned retirement. I know that they will be sorely missed.”
Gill was originally from North Hykeham, but Colin remembers his Dad building the shop as a lad. Both the shop and Post Office are sadly closing. There are part-time Post Offices in the area and a full-time branch at Saxilby.
Colin and Gill are looking forward to being able to go on holiday, to spend more time with their grandchildren and for days out. Colin loves gardening and Gill loves baking cakes and they may also take up a new hobby too.