Popular postmaster, Mark Fisher, has retired after 44 years of serving the village of Jump.
At the age of 19, he took on a small shop in 1981 that sold newspapers and sweets and non-food items.
A few years later he extended the premises at 18 Wentworth Road, Jump, S74 0JY, to also add a grocery shop and with living accommodation above. This is where he and his wife raised a family before making the move to Wombwell.
The opportunity then came about to take on the Post Office which was located nearby, but, he had to add another extension to the shop to accommodate the branch. Mark has been the postmaster since June 1998.
Mark is very proud that he was able to grow his business and that his Post Office is still going strong whereas bigger villages have seen their branch close.
He is also delighted that he was able to keep Jump Post Office and Wentworth stores open throughout the pandemic. This was a really busy time with people wanting to send parcels to people that they could not see, home shopping returns galore, plus banking.
When the community heard that Mark was retiring, he has received lots of cards and presents from grateful customers. His branch now serves customers further afield than the village of Jump. Lots of people from surrounding villages have also come in this month to say thank you and to wish him well.
Mark and his wife, Lorraine, still live in a nearby village so he will still be able to keep in touch with all of his customers, who have become friends.
Jump Postmaster, Mark Fisher, said: “News got out on social media that I was retiring and I have been overwhelmed by messages to thank me. People who I have known since they were children, now have grandchildren of their own.
“My proudest achievement is that I have grown the business and fought to keep our little Post Office open in this small village whereas other offices in larger villages have closed. I want to thank my loyal customers but most of all thank my wonderful loyal staff Julie, Lesley, Karen and Jayne,
“I’m 63 now and I can happily retire as I found a local person who wanted to take on the shop and Post Office and keep my staff, which was very important to me. I now looking forward to having more time to relax and to have retired early enough to make the most of my retirement.”
Jayne Wylde who has worked at various Post Offices including Rotherham, Elsecar and Hemingfield for over 40 years will continue to work at Jump Post Office.
The new owners are Ras and Rachelle Rasinthan, who took over on 15 October and Mark wishes them every success.
Post Office Area Manager, Stacey Walton, said: “I want to sincerely thank Mark Fisher for running a first class Post Office in Jump for 27 years and for being at the heart of this community for 44 years. I know that the community will miss Mark, but they are delighted that a suitable buyer was found to allow him to retire.”