30 years at the helm of Post Office
Inchture branch is a family affair
A Perthshire postmistress is celebrating 30 years at the helm of Inchture Post Office, which has been run by her family for more than 150 years.
Jennifer Ford is the fifth woman in her family to run the Moncur Road facility, with the role first being taken on by her great-grandmother in 1896.
It has only moved once in the time since it opened, which was during World War II, with the branch being moved across the road.
Now Jennifer has been presented with her Post Office 30 years’ long service award with Post Office bosses thanking Jennifer and the five generations of her family for their devoted service to their community.
After Jennifer’s great, great grandmother took on the Post Office in Inchture for many years, the job was then taken on by her great grandmother, grandmother, then her mother.
Jennifer officially took over as postmistress in 1994, after having a career in catering. Her sister Lisa Ford-logie also works at the branch.
In 1992, Jennifer got to enjoy a royal garden party at Holyrood as the guest of her mother, Joyce.
This invite was in recognition of Joyce’s service to the community as postmistress for Inchture.
Jennifer said: “The best thing about being a postmistress is the people that you meet and becoming a big part of the community. We support the community and customers have also been very supportive to us. It works both ways. Inchture is a lovely tight-knit community.
“With the help of my sister, Lisa, I was able to keep Inchture Post Office open throughout the pandemic. It was very busy. People were sending letters and parcels to people that they could not see, lots of home shopping returns and banking. It was reassuring for customers to see friendly familiar faces.
“It was also busier than normal as people who normally commuted to work were at home and they were using our services for the first time and many have continued as customers since.”
Post Office area manager, Greg Blackmore, said: “It is very impressive that Jennifer is the fifth generation of her family to run Inchture Post Office. I want to sincerely thank Jennifer for being at the helm for the past three decades and for continuing to serve her Perthshire community. I know that Jennifer is highly regarded in Inchture.”
The best thing is the people you meet Jennifer Ford