First-class honour for long-serving Hamish

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STIRLING MP Anne McGuire helped a Callander man celebrate a lifetime’s work with the Post Office.

Subpostmaster Hamish Menzies (78) was honoured after more than 60 years service.

For almost 40 years he has been a familiar face serving behind the counter at Callander Post Office branch.

And last Friday, Hamish stepped down from his post to be presented with a well-deserved Long Service Award from Post Office Ltd.




Mrs McGuire handed over the award in recognition of Hamish’s remarkable dedication and commitment during his 62 years service with the business.

She said: “I know how important Post Office services are to communities like Callander. It has been a tremendous privilege for me to meet Hamish and to be able to congratulate him on such long and distinguished service.”

Hamish started work in the Post Office back in November 1948, at the tender age of 15 as a boy messenger at Doune Delivery Office. He was encouraged to take on this job after being told he would have his bus fares and his lunches paid for him.

In 1951 Hamish then went off to do his National Service, serving as a corporal in the Army delivery service before returning in 1953 to work in the General Post Office as it was known then, in Stirling Delivery Office.

In 1956 he was transferred to Callander Post Office branch in his role of postman.

In February 1972 Hamish took over the reins at Callander Post Office branch and he has been there ever since - and he wasn’t sure about taking it on because it would interfere with his social life as a fiddle player in the Hamish Menzies Scottish Dance Band.

In those days, counter staff balanced their cash and stock on a Friday evening. Hamish said: “It was whilst playing at a MoD event in Stirling in 1971, backing the gold medal winners, that I was introduced to the then Head Postmaster. He said to me ‘Would you rather be playing the fiddle in 10 years time or have a job for life?’ And here I am still here.”

His career in the Post Office has witnessed the great milestones of the communications revolution – from the early telephones, the heyday of the telegram, to computers, on-line banking and selling mobile phone top-ups. In terms of the mail service, he started out before the modern system of postcodes was piloted in 1959.

When Post Office Ltd finally brought in a nationwide computer system over a decade ago, Hamish was quick to adapt to the new way of working.

He said: “The computer was just something else to learn. I don’t think too much about it. You just get on with it. At the end of the day you’re just providing a service to people.

“I have enjoyed every minute of my time here at Callander. The customers are really great and they make my job so enjoyable.”

Hamish is assisted by both his wife and his son and shows no signs of slowing down.

Andy Bayfield, Conformance Standards Manager, Post Office Ltd said: “Hamish thoroughly deserves this recognition. I am sure all his customers will join me in congratulating him for his years of hard work and commitment. Post Office Ltd wishes Hamish and his family continued success for the future.”