WHEN sub-postmaster Ronnie Pardoe retired this week it marked the end of a 100-year family connection at College Street Post Office.

And to commemorate the special occasion on Friday, June 27, Post Office Counters Ltd. presented a long-service certificate to Ronnie, whose father Thomas first became sub-postmaster in the late 1800s.

The ceremony also signalled the end of Ronnie's own 50-year career with the postal services and he said: "I have really enjoyed working for the post office and never really wanted to do anything else. Although I have only been postmaster for 39 years, I have actually worked here for 50 years.

"When I was a child I learned to count with five-shilling bags of post office money which my father used to pour out onto the hearth carpet for me.

"Then when dad died, my mother Margaret took over and I started work straight from school at 15. I can even remember her having to keep the post office open at night during the war to pay out cash to troops on the move."

In 1958, Ronnie became the sub-postmaster himself and in 1970, he designed the present post office and chemist's shop that is situated opposite the old premises which were demolished following a clearance order on the property.

Ronnie, who has run the business with the help of his wife, Pat, added: "I will miss my customers, particularly the older ones who have watched me grow up and still refer to me as 'Little Ronnie Pardoe.' But I am looking forward to a rest and having more time for my hobbies, walking and tapestry."

And although Ronnie is calling it a day, the family ties with the post office have not been completely severed, for two of the couple's children, Dave and Jane, currently work for Post Office Counters.

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