Much-loved Pamela Fiarley retired on Monday after 23 years behind the counter of the store in Ratho. In 2000, Pamela and her husband Raymond bought a shop in the village, and she became the 'Postmistress' a year later.
A long-serving Edinburgh Post Office manager has retired after over two decades of working within the community.
Much-loved Pamela Fairley retired on Monday after 23 years behind the counter of her store in Ratho. In 2000, Pamela and her husband Raymond bought the village shop, and she became the 'Postmistress' a year later.
Having reached retirement age, Pamela is set to say goodbye to locals but the family connection will not cease to exist. Her daughter and husband, along with a group of staff, will continue to run the shop.
Postmistress, Pamela Fairley, said: “People say that you know when it will be the right time to retire. I have reached that stage as a postmistress. Behind my Post Office counter I have a photo of an elderly couple outside their Post Office business, and I always promised myself that this would not be me.
“The village is sad that I am retiring, but they understand. The Post Office and the shop remained open throughout the pandemic. We were at the coal face and dealing with the unknown, but we wanted to maintain services for the village.
“I do wish that there was a solution to provide office services in Ratho as people come here to send letters and parcels and for their banking and to pay bills and there’s so much home shopping returns.
Despite taking a well-deserved step back, Pamela will continue to work part-time managing the shop's finances but it relishing the idea of having more free time to explore the Scottish countryside and put her feet up.
Post Office Area Manager, Brian McNaughton, said: “We want to thank Pamela for her long and loyal service to her village as Postmistress. We hope that she enjoys her well- earned retirement.”