Amble postmistress retires - nearly - after 28 years' service to community

Having spent many happy summer holidays in Amble staying in her parent’s caravan, Susan couldn’t resist a local advertisement asking for applications to run The Harbour Post Office.

She was successful and moved with her husband and two young children from her hometown of Wideopen to become postmistress on November 12, 1992.

She recalls memorising names from pension books to help build relationships with her customers.

Amazingly, many customers who first visited her branch as babies now visit the branch with their own children.

Susan said: “I am really proud to have worked for the Post Office for nearly 29 years. I have absolutely loved serving this wonderful community.

"I would like to thank all my fantastic customers. They have made my time at The Harbour Post Office so enjoyable, I will miss them all so much.

"It would also be remiss of me not to extend my grateful thanks to my colleague Gill who has helped me run the branch for 13 years.”

Although her time at The Harbour Post Office has ended, Susan has already agreed to work part-time at the nearby Warkworth Post Office.

She thanks husband James, children Vicky and Scott and his wife Sami for their support over the years. She now hopes to spend more time with her granddaughter Esme.

Post Office area manager Neil Barnard said: “We are extremely grateful for Susan’s commitment to the area; she has been a great asset to the business and has served her

community for an amazing length of time. I thank Susan for her service and wish her every happiness for the future.”

Susan has passed the baton over to Sugarnan Ramachandran, who will operate a Post Office at his store at Newburgh Street.

Opening hours are Monday to Friday: 8am to 7pm; Saturday & Sunday: 9am to 4pm – offering 80 hours of Post Office service a week. This is an additional 60 hours of Post Office service, including opening all-day Friday and Sunday, plus Saturday afternoon. It also marks an end to lunchtime closing. The branch also opens significantly earlier and it will close much later every day.

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