Risinghurst Postmistress receives royal recognition for services to the community

Hemlata ‘Hema’ Gandhi, Postmistress of Risinghurst Post Office branch, Oxford, OX3 8HR has received royal recognition for services to the Post Office and local community.

It was announced in the Queens’ Birthday Honours list that Hema has been awarded an MBE in recognition of the contribution that she has made to the Post Office and Community as Postmistress of Risinghurst Post Office branch.

Hema took over the Post Office branch and small retail store with her husband Mahesh in 1991, helping to ensure that the local community retained this vital service.

However, Hema’s association with the Post Office is much longer, dating back more than 40 years, as her father ran a local Post Office in east London where, as a sixteen year old, Hema helped out in the shop and Post Office. Hema remarked, “You could say that the Post Office is in my blood!”.

After pursuing a career in banking, Hema and Mahesh settled in Risinghurst and immediately set about getting involved in the local community.

At that time there was small Hindu mandal operating in the area, which consisted of about 12 families gathering together. When Mahesh took up an administration role as part of the group, it was the catalyst for Hema to get involved, taking on the task of recruiting new members and raising awareness of the group.

The group has now grown to more than 300 members with families and friends gathering regularly to socialise, cook food and to celebrate Hindu festivals. Hema has been the driving force behind the group, encouraging people to get involved and to volunteer to assist with events, to cook and to support each other as part of the community.

Hema is also active in supporting the whole community in Risinghurst, taking part in the local church annual fete and picnic by assisting with the raffle, including donating prizes and helping out on the day, and supporting charities on an ongoing basis with collections in the shop, providing sponsorship to local schools and community clubs, and providing financial assistance.

The Risinghurst Post Office is a community branch providing the only shop in the centre of the area. Over the years the business has grown, extending into the unit next door when it became available, and developed to meet the needs of the local community which includes many customers who have used the Post Office for years and also younger professionals who are increasingly moving into the area.

On learning of the award, Hema said:

“I was absolutely shocked and surprised when my husband showed me the list with my name on it, he had kept the whole thing a secret. We absolutely love being part of the community in Risinghurst, the last 27 years has gone by so quickly – I guess time flies when you’re having fun.

“What is really rewarding is just how much our customers appreciate that we continue to run the Post Office; they tell us that it is a vital service for them and very convenient. I never expected the award and am just pleased to be able to help my customers and support the whole of the local community”

Group Chief Executive of Post Office, Paula Vennells, said:

“I am absolutely delighted for Hema - this award is real recognition of the dedication and commitment that she has shown in delivering Post Office services and so much more over so many years.

“My thanks to Hema, not only for providing excellent customer service, but also ensuring that the Post Office really is at the heart of the local community”