Woman raises glass to 38 years at Post Office

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.lep.co.uk/news/features_2_18 ... _1_1655801" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A woman is retiring from a Preston Post Office after serving customers for more than 38 years.

Mother-of-two Avis Balner, 70, took the job when her daughter was four and ended up staying behind the counter at Lane Ends Post Office, Tulketh Brow, Ashton.

She will work at the branch for the final time tomorrow.

She said: “After 38 years, it will feel a bit peculiar next week. I started when my daughter went to school and now she’s 42. She’d only been there a fortnight and I was bored.

“I didn’t intend to stay that long but I enjoyed the job. I like helping people.”

Over the years, Avis has served generations of families and has seen many faces come and go. She used to work full time but cut her hours to three days a week.

She said: “I think I’ve known more people that have died than are alive.

“There have been a lot of changes. We’ve gone computerised but I preferred the old way. I liked it better when I had a book and I could work everything out in front of me.”

Avis, who lives near to the branch, is now planning to visit her daughter who lives in Essex and to spend more time gardening.

She said: “This summer, I didn’t seem to get the garden done and my daughter’s been asking me to retire for two years. And I do quite a lot with the church, St Andrew’s.”

Avis has made many friends through her job over the years.

She said: “They’re not colleagues, they’re friends. The sub postmistress Linda (Carsley), I shall remain friends with forever.”

Linda said: “She knows the job inside out. When I started 12 years ago it was her I looked to for guidance.

“She knows all the customers as well so that’s a help.

“She won’t stand any messing. In this type of job, people do try and pull fast ones on you. We are definitely going to miss her. She’s been part of the fixture and fittings.”

[subbie]

Must be a record for a Sub office assistant, well done. I'm on 35 years service, mixed Postie, Crown Office clerk, and Subbie, I wonder if I'll make past her 38 years?

Subbie

[billyhayes]

I wonder if ANY of us make it past April...

[Lounge Lizard]

I wonder if ANY of us make it past April...

December ?