Wayne and Lesley Rees have now retired after running their shop in Badminton for 33 years, which has served the local community and the equestrian lovers attending the Badminton Horse Trials.
The couple took on Drewett’s Store, which forms part of the Badminton Estate, in 1992. There has been a shop here since 1777 and it was well-known as Drewett’s so they decided to keep the name.
There was then the opportunity to add Badminton Post Office in 1995, when the previous postmaster was retiring. At that time the Post Office had been in the Duchess’s former Reading Room, which had once provided somewhere for the community to enjoy books.
Wayne and Lesley have been at the heart of their South Gloucestershire community for a third of a century. As Wayne, is soon 68-years-old, they feel that the time is now right for them to retire.
They have also built-up great rapport with the equestrian community involved with the Badminton Horse Trials. They were able to say their fond farewells to their horse-loving friends last May as they had already announced their planned retirement for this spring.
The long-serving Postmaster, Wayne Rees, said: “I’ve really enjoyed being a postmaster and running a shop. The customers are wonderful. The best thing is the interaction with customers. We have a laugh and a giggle. I know my customers well, so I know when I can pull their leg. We will really miss serving our customers, but we know that the time is right to retire, so that we have time to enjoy our retirement whilst we are physically able.
“Our local community is upset that we are leaving, but they are fully understanding and supportive about our desire to retire. We gave Badminton Estate what we thought was plenty of notice of our intention to retire, so we are disappointed for our great customers that it seems to be the end of an era for this shop and Post Office.
“The Badminton Horse Trials were always absolutely full-on, in fact the busiest time of the year, even busier than the Christmas period. I’d normally lose half a stone in weight as it was so hectic, but it was always such a great atmosphere and so lovely to see so many familiar faces coming in year after year for the event.
“We have served many generations of the same family. We have fond memories of children coming in for treats of ice-creams and sweets, who are now coming in with children of their own. We had children of our own and we got to know the community well and we wanted to be a big part of this community. At one point I was Vice Chair of Governors for the local school and Chair of the local swimming club which our children belonged to.
“We attracted customers from a wider community than Badminton as there is easy parking and it is also a good place for local walks where people could enjoy refreshments including Lesley's famous cakes and sandwiches. We stayed open through Covid and people were very grateful and this helped us to attract new customers who have remained loyal."
Lesley and Wayne are looking forward to having more time to travel, relax and to decorate their new home. With a second grandchild on the way they will also be able to help more easily with childcare.
Post Office Area Manager, Masahiro Minagawa, said: “Wayne and Lesley have run a 1st class Post Office and shop and they are held in very high regard. I wish them a very well-earned retirement. They will be sorely missed.”