Popular postmaster, Mahesh Mistry, has reached a major milestone at the helm of Upper Dovercourt Post Office near Harwich for 30 years.
His wife, Brigitte, has also served the community for three decades, running the store selling cards, stationery and gifts at 477 Main Road, Dovercourt, Harwich, CO12 4HT.
For the first 10 years, Brigitte also worked regularly in the Post Office, in addition to her teaching role in Further Education, and now she focusses on the retail side and her Further Education position.
The couple are well respected members of Dovercourt and they are proud that they managed to keep their Post Office and shop open throughout the Covid pandemic to main vital services to the community.
Upper Dovercourt Postmaster, Mahesh Mistry, said: “We have always been at the heart of the community. During Covid, we were the main social hub. There were people who lived alone, who didn’t see anyone unless they came to our shop. It was very reassuring for customers to see friendly, familiar, faces and provides some sense of normality.
“As we have been here for 30 years we have got to know people really well. People who came is as children now have children of their own. Customers are like extended family. People often come to us for help or advice and we love to help the community.”
Mahesh had been an apprentice with British Steel and he graduated from university with a mechanical engineering degree. His career was in a variety of engineering roles for many years until he was made redundant. He then decided that he liked the idea of running his own business.
There was an opportunity to take on Upper Dovercourt Post Office and shop. He had never been to the Essex town before, but he had worked in Suffolk, just two miles the other side of the river that separates the two counties.
In the past three decades Mahesh and Brigitte have undertaken five refurbishments to improve their store and Post Office and to keep it modern.
Mahesh and his staff also provide outreach Post Offices to Little Oakley and Great Oakley and these communities are very grateful that this has maintained Post Offices to these communities. They both receive visits twice a week.
To mark long and loyal service of Mahesh he was presented with a Post Office 30 Years’ Long Service Award.
Post Office Area Manager, Thakoor Maraj, said: “I really want to really thank Mahesh for the 1st class Post Office service that he has provided to his community for the past three decades as postmaster along with his wife Brigitte who has run the shop throughout. The couple are highly regarded in the community. Whilst presenting the long-service award many customers wanted to congratulate Mahesh for all that he does for the people of Upper Dovercourt.”