Postmistress Mary Baxter received a stamp of approval from the Post Office when she was presented with the ‘50 Years’ Post Office Long Service Award’ recently.

The rare award was presented in recognition of Mary’s remarkable service to the Imeroo, Tempo community, loyally serving the area for 50 years – a job that she says she loves.

She recently celebrated her 50 years as postmistress for Imeroo Post Office, that has been in her husband Bobby’s family since 1929. Bobby was just two years old when his father, Joseph, took on the post office.

Mary moved from Castleberg, Co. Tyrone to Imeroo when she was 18, and married Bobby, after which she started working in the post office.

In the 1960s, Bobby took over as postmaster, but it was Mary who managed the branch, allowing Bobby to concentrate on his career, repairing vehicles and driving lorries.

Then in November, 1972, Mary officially took on the role of postmistress – overall, Mary has now been at the heart of the Imeroo community for 66 years.

Mary said: “I love running a post office. It is great to chat to all the customers. Many people often pop in just for a chat – I’m like an agony aunt!

“I’m 85, and apart from a replacement knee operation two years ago, I’m still going strong. I hear about the illnesses and ailments of customers much younger than me. I’m very lucky.

“Even when I had Covid-19, I had no symptoms, but I had to close the shop for 10 days as I had tested positive.

“Customers were very pleased that during lockdown that I managed to stay open as they could still get their vital post office services and groceries.

“There are no banks near here, so people withdraw money and do their banking as well as sending mail and parcels, bill payments and home shopping returns.”

Andy Kingham, Post Office Retail Director North, visited Mary with Post Office Area Manager, Timmy Grant, to present her with her award.

Thanking and praising Mary for her tireless work, Timmy said: “Mary has been working in Imeroo Post Office since she was 18, so 66 years ago! What a lovely and brilliant lady she is.

“Mary is very loyal and dedicated to her community – she’s really at the heart of it.”