Popular postmaster David Jenkins has retired from his role at Murton Post Office after 39 years at the helm of the Swansea branch, which has been run by his family since 1936.
David is the third generation of his family to run Murton Post Office. It has been at the same location of 14 Manselfield Road, Murton, SA3 3AR, for the whole time.
The premises started off as small building as a laundry house in the 1880s where a relation took in washing from the community.
Later in the 1900s, the premises were expanded outwards for a shop and another storey was built on top, and it was used for a tearoom, then later, living accommodation.
David's Grandmother, Annie Mary Jenkins, became the official postmistress for Murton in 1936. Then in 1957, his Aunt, Lilly Jenkins, took over.
He then formally took over as Murton Postmaster in February 1986, juggling it with his other job as a chartered surveyor. His wife, Helen, has managed the shop since then along with staff.
David has always lived locally, in fact, he has traced his family tree on both sides to Bishopston and Pwll Du since the late 1600s and he loves living close to the local beaches.
During the pandemic David and Helen managed to keep Murton Post Office and the shop open to meet the needs of their community who wanted to stay local. Customers were served at the front door to keep them safe.
David has decided that it is time to retire, and the Post Office and shop are being taken over by a new family, which will maintain service to the community.
Murton Postmaster, David Jenkins, said: “I have been the postmaster for more than 39 years, but I have had links to Murton Post Office and shop my entire life with helping my Aunt with jobs from the age of eight.
“Having always lived locally, I know most of the people really well, but as a popular Gower village, there are always new people moving here, and we have made many new friends
“People are very grateful that there is a Post Office here to send parcels and to do their home shopping returns. With lots of bank closures this is where people can do their personal and business banking.
“The time is now right for Helen and I to retire. People are sad that we are stepping down and we never had children, so no one to take over, but customers are pleased that there are new owners.”
Post Office Area Manager, Ryan Leonard, said: “I want to congratulate David his family’s long and loyal service to the community. He really is at the heart of the community. Not many postmasters can say that they are the third generation of postmasters running a branch and impressively for nearly 87 years. David and Helen will be sorely missed, but they will continue to live locally.”
The new owner Mr Rajmohan Puvanethiran took over as postmaster on 6 October. David and Helen will continue to help for a while.