Longest-serving post office counter clerk retires

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Longest-serving post office counter clerk announces his retirement

http://www.thisisscunthorpe.co.uk/news/ ... ticle.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

SINCE 1975, David Forster has handed out millions of pounds to people – and never spent a penny of his own cash.

But the 64-year-old father- of-one yesterday closed the account.

Scunthorpe's longest- serving and best-known post office counter clerk has announced his retirement, three months earlier than intended.

Mr Forster revealed he had seen many changes since he signed on originally as a postman with the Royal Mail in 1970.

He said: "I asked to be transferred to the counters and after a seven-week training course in South Shields, I went to work at the former Crown Post Office Oswald in 1975.

"When that closed, I moved to Cole Street, then to Market Hill and finally to the present sub-office in the High Street.

"In the early days almost 100 per cent of pensioners called into collect their pensions. But now more and more are having their benefit paid directly into their bank accounts."

Mr Forster, a former student at Doncaster Road Boys' Secondary School, said he had decided to retire early to coincide with his wife Freda's retirement as an administrative clerk at the Lloyds TSB mortgage centre in Scunthorpe.

Looking back, he said: "Computer technology has made big difference in the Post Office. Years ago it used to take an hour and a half to balance the books.

"Now, it's all done in five minutes.

"The Post Office has also become a financial service, handling everything from growth bonds to life and car insurance, so the staff have to be specially trained.

"Over the years I have seen some nasty customers come into the Post Office, but thankfully, we've never experienced a robbery.

"By and large, the vast majority of the customers have been absolutely fantastic and supportive of the Post Office. I can tell that from the number of well-wishing cards I've received.

"Now, Freda and myself are looking forward to spending more time in our caravan holiday home."

Wishing the Forsters a happy retirement, his former boss Tony Beety said: "David was Mr Post Office to the people of Scunthorpe and he will be sorely missed by the staff and the customers here."

Mr Beety, who owns three other post offices in Grimsby, Cleethorpes and Humberstone, said: "His experience in the business has been invaluable to me and I wish him and his wife good luck in the future."

[amiya]

Does anyone know who owned Cole Street Post Office between 2000 and 2004? I have a reference for a Mr Richard Wilkins which states he was a counter clerk[2000 - 2004] and also the Acting Manager there for a year 2003 - 2004, I can't check references as the place has closed down. Apparently, Richard Wilkins father owned the building [Roy Wilkins} and Richard managed it with him and for him. I cannot trace this. When the Post office transferred to Market Hill, the cole Street premises were then apparently rented out by the Wilkins family to Record Village. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Does anyone know who owned Cole Street Post Office between 2000 and 2004? I have a reference for a Mr Richard Wilkins which states he was a counter clerk[2000 - 2004] and also the Acting Manager there for a year 2003 - 2004, I can't check references as the place has closed down. Apparently, Richard Wilkins father owned the building [Roy Wilkins} and Richard managed it with him and for him. I cannot trace this. When the Post office transferred to Market Hill, the cole Street premises were then apparently rented out by the Wilkins family to Record Village. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

Sorry but this is an unofficial forum and therefore it would be a criminal offence under both the Official Secrets Act and Data Protection Act if anyone were to give you such specific information.

To be fair I doubt anyone on here would have that knowledge anyway. My best advice would be to contact Post Office Ltd direct and see if they can give you any information, or you could check companies house if the Post Office was not a crown one.

Post Office HQ is at:

148, Old St, London, EC1V 9HQ

[amiya]

Thanks for the advice. Amiya.