Sub postmistress of Peel Post Office Angela Joughin has decided to call it a day after 10 years in the role.
Over this time period Angela has provided the residents of the local community with a range of postal services, all delivered to a very high standard. She has built an excellent rapport with her customers and has provided a reliable service. In her retirement Angela plans to spend more time doing the things she enjoys but admits she will miss the post office.
"Peel has always been a very busy post office and the job has been a constantly demanding role. When I first took over as sub postmistress we had no staff and over the last 10 years the staff I've been fortunate to recruit have significantly contributed to the place the office is today. It really has gone from strength to strength. I will miss them and my customers very much."
Angela continued: "I've met some wonderful people over the years and feel I've really become a part of the community. Post Offices are usually the hub of village and town life and here in Peel that's definitely been the case. I will particularly miss the staff who have been so loyal, supportive and reliable over the years."
During the last decade Angela has seen some notable changes in not only the postal industry but in the social trends of customers but feels what has been lost in some areas has been gained in others.
"We used to do a lot of National Savings and Investment work for example but when NS&I decided to withdraw their services from the Island other new services were introduced which have been equally popular."
Peel Post Office has always housed a delivery office too and Angela says working with the close-knit of postal staff based there has been a real pleasure.
"I'd like to thank the posties for their terrific support over the years. They've created a wonderful working atmosphere and incredible camaraderie. I'm also most appreciative of the support from Isle of Man Post Office headquarters' staff too – it's all been wonderful" added Angela.
During the very start of Angela's career as sub postmistress she has always had the support of her co-worker Beryl Beavis. Beryl has been working for the post office for 40 years, having run Glen Maye Post Office for 29 years, before becoming a regular source of help to many postmasters Island-wide as and when they have needed it. But at the age of 81 years, Beryl has decided to retire too.
She said: "I've thoroughly enjoyed working for the post office. When I started back in Glen Maye we just dealt with cash, pensions and stamps and now there's everything from foreign currency to banking services. I've seen many changes over the last four decades and have particularly enjoyed the computer side of transactions from what was all manually based many years ago. Despite changes I feel the post office still has an important role to play in today's society particularly in the villages of the Island and wish Angela's successor the very best of luck."
Mary Palmer takes over from Angela and is very much looking forward to the new challenge and maintaining the high level of service customers have become accustomed to under Angela's management of the busy office.
She said: "I'm very enthusiastic about taking over as sub postmistress but feel I have big shoes to fill. During the handover period between Angela and I it's been obvious how highly regarded and appreciated she is by both staff and customers for the role she has played in the community of Peel. I hope the transition in the changeover is as smooth as possible for everyone concerned and I'm looking forward to becoming a part of the community in providing both postal and retail services to the people of Peel."
Commenting on the change of hands Peter Cropper, Operations Director of Isle of Man Post Office said: "We are very grateful for all the work Angela has done for our customers in Peel and also to Beryl who has supported Angela so well over the past 10 years. We wish them well for the future. We are delighted that Mary has agreed to take on the role of Sub Postmistress for Peel. We know that Mary is coming in with a great deal of enthusiasm and is determined to continue the good work that Angela has done for so long for the people of Peel."
Isle of Man Post Office's Retail Network offers a wide range of postal services from foreign currency, MoneyGram, ReDirect, KeepSafe, vehicle licensing, benefit payments and banking facilities.
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