Postmaster of 24 years retires and moves away
A village has said farewell to its popular postmaster and shopkeeper.
Colin Dennis has left Garboldisham, a village he first moved to from Essex in 1989, to enjoy retirement with his partner Sylvia Pearson in Happisburgh, on the Norfolk coast.
He said: “After being here for so long, and in the retail trade for 40 years, I am sad to move on in some respects, but I’ve got to do it eventually and now seemed like a good time.”
On Monday, villagers presented him and Sylvia with £565 in John Lewis vouchers, purchased using funds from a village collection.
Colin said: “It was very unexpected and very kind of them. It’s a great village and I’ll be sad to go. I’ve made lots of friends.”
Mary Feakes, chairman of Garboldisham Parish Council, said villagers were grateful to Colin for providing such a ‘wonderful service’.
She wished him and Sylvia a happy ‘well-earned’ retirement and welcomed the new owners of the village shop and post office.
Speaking after the farewell, she said: “Garboldisham and the surrounding villages will certainly miss Colin and Sylvia in our Post Office and Stores, which is such a vital asset to ours, and any village.
“Over the years, Colin has built up the business by diversifying into wines, local produce and a small garden section.
“We very much welcome Mark and Vanessa Knell, who are taking over the business, and wish Colin and Sylvia much happiness in their retirement.”
Vanessa said: “We wanted a new venture and this felt right. All the customers have been really friendly and are helping us to find our feet.”
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Weather for Bury St Edmunds
Saturday 18 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 7 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: West
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