Press release -
Hellidon postmistress has official visit from MP to thank her for 51 years loyal service to her community
- Jenny Fell has been Hellidon’s Postmistress since November 1974
- Stuart Andrew MP visits to thank her for all her work for her village
- Jenny named in New Year’s Honours list
- Will soon be presented with British Empire Medal
- Buckingham Palace Garden Party invite
Hellidon Postmistress, Jenny Fell, has done so much for her community for more than half a century that Stuart Andrew, MP for Daventry, wanted to make an official visit to thank her in person.
Jenny, 82, who has been the postmistress since November 1974, was named in the last King’s New Year’s honours list and will soon be presented with her British Empire Medal by the Lord Lieutenant of Northamptonshire.
Hellidon Postmistress, Jenny Fell BEM, said: “The night that my honour was announced I was suddenly inundated with WhatsApp messages of congratulations from customers who had heard the news. I had more than 100 messages within the first 24 hours and lots of cards, presents and people wanting to congratulate me in person. It was overwhelming, but people wanted to celebrate the happy news.”
Stuart Andrew MP said: “Jenny Fell is a remarkable person who has done so much for this local community for a very impressive 51 years. I wanted to thank Jenny for all that she has done which has greatly enriched so many lives in so many wonderful ways through her kindness to customers and through all her voluntary work.”
This spring, Jenny will proudly attend a Buckingham Palace Garden Party with her husband Tony as a recipient of a King’s Honour.
The couple moved to Hellidon in 1966, and Jenny quickly wanted to get involved with activities in the village. When the village needed a new postmaster Jenny successfully applied and Tony added the Post Office to their home by building a counter in their hallway.
Hellidon Post Office is a part-time branch, which allowed Jenny time for lots of varied voluntary work and studied for a history degree with the Open University. Jenny has a passion for local history and wrote a book on the history of Hellidon and several smaller guides and has conducted tours for newcomers and visitors.
For many years Jenny has locked and unlocked the church on a daily basis and has hardly ever missed a day. Jenny has always been actively involved in the organisation of church events, including the annual village fete and numerous events in the village hall.
Community-minded Jenny also served as clerk of the parish for 13 years, and was joint editor of the Parish News, which covered three villages, for over 20 years. Other volunteering has included doing Meals on Wheels, prison visiting, and running a brownie group in a nearby village.
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- With over 11,500 branches, Post Office has the biggest retail network in the UK, with more branches than all the banks and building societies combined.
- Post Office is helping anyone who wants cash to get it whichever way is most convenient. Partnership with over 30 banks, building societies and credit unions means that 99% of UK bank customers can access their accounts at their Post Office.
- Cash withdrawals, deposits and balance enquiries can be made securely and conveniently over the counter at any Post Office; and the biggest investment by any organisation or company in the last decade is being made to safeguard 1,400 free-to-use ATMs across the UK.
- Post Office is simplifying its proposition for Postmasters with a focus on its cash and banking; mails and parcels; foreign exchange; and; bill payments services.
- Research has found that visits to the Post Office help drive another 400 million visitors to other shops, restaurants and local businesses equating to an estimated £1.1 billion in additional revenue for High Street businesses.
- 99.7% of the population live within three miles of a Post Office; and 4,000 branches are open seven days a week.
