A popular village Post Office employee is retiring after 66 years in the role.
Rita Kerridge, 80, has been a counter clerk at the Wickham Market Post Office since she was 15, and has lived all her life in the village.
After nearly seven decades serving the community and working under seven different postmasters, she has decided to retire.
More recently, Ms Kerridge had been working two mornings a week, but still came in on some of her days off to speak to the customers.
Current postmaster Anthony Davis started at the Wickham Market Post Office six years ago, with him and his partner Nicola previously working in the NHS.
He said: “Six years ago, Nicola and I moved from the north to Suffolk and took on Wickham Market Post Office; Rita made it so much easier to settle as she knows everyone in the village and she would introduce us to all the customers.
The Post Office in High Street, Wickham Market, near Woodbridge. Picture: Google MapsThe Post Office in High Street, Wickham Market, near Woodbridge. Picture: Google Maps
“It was like a personal endorsement from Rita who is born and bred in the village and has lots of family members living here to.
“Rita is kind, caring, bubbly and very reliable – most people would not know that Rita is an octogenarian as she looks much younger.
“Nicola and I previously worked in the NHS, so we were unexperienced in retail; Rita, who had worked in retail all of her adult life, really helped us with her Post Office knowledge.
“We really appreciate all the support that Rita has given us.”
When Covid hit, Ms Kerridge was furloughed by the team to keep her safe, but she could not wait to get back to work.
She decided to work up until Christmas as it is the busiest time of year for the Wickham Market Post Office, and team celebrated her and another retiring employee with a meal recently.
“We had a combined Christmas and retirement meal for Rita and another employee, Carol Beyerley, who has also worked here for six years,” Mr David said.
“News is now out that Rita is retiring. Customers have been popping in to thank her”.
Post Office Area Manager Shervorne Page said: “What an incredible achievement for Rita to have worked at Wickham Market Post Office, loyally served this community for so long.
“Rita has loved being at the heart of this community and she’s a local treasure.”