THE WORLD’S oldest post office officially welcomed a new postmaster and special visitor this week.
New postmaster, Barry Ford and his wife Mary, recently took over at the post office in Sanquhar which opened in 1712 and has been in operation for 311 years.
The couple had been living and working in Florida for 20 years when they first heard about Sanquhar Post Office being up for sale three years ago. They returned to the UK to live in Motherwell and had been looking for a business to take on and they are now only 17th operator of the world’s oldest Post Office.
Lincolnshire-born postmaster Barry is has been enjoying his new job and is thankful for the community’s warm welcome, he said: “We have had a brilliant first few weeks. The community has been fantastic. There is a large elderly population here and they are very grateful that we are here. They have been patient too whilst we take over, receive training and stock the shop. It’s been really busy with people visiting the Post Office and shop and people have been inquisitive to see who has taken over this. It’s the tail end of the tourist season and we are now gearing up for Christmas. We have lots of exciting plans going forward.”
MP for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale David Mundell popped into the historic post office in Upper Nithsdale see Barry and Mary earlier this week to officially welcome them, he added: “Sanquhar Post Office has world-wide acclaim as being the oldest Post Office in the world and attracts tourists from the UK and overseas.
“I am delighted that the new owners have a real passion for history and philately as well as being keen to provide a first-class service to customers of the Post Office and shop.”
