Postmistress in Northamptonshire village after 34 years of loyal service

A Northamptonshire postwoman is retiring today, Saturday June 25, after 34 years of dedicated service to her Northamptonshire village.
In January 1988, Margaret Scott and her husband, Del, bought their house and the Little Houghton post office in Bedford Road. Del worked in the auto trade, but he also worked at the branch at various times, including early and recently.
Margaret and Del were originally from Oldham in Lancashire, but had moved to Surrey for work. Commuting on the M25 motorway meant they wanted to change their lifestyle and wanted to start their own business. They looked far and wide, including Suffolk, Norfolk and Somerset, but the village on the outskirts of Northampton “felt good”.
They took over the home and post office of Colin and Jackie Stanton, who ran the Little Houghton Post Office for 24 years.
The shop will now be part of their accommodation and the couple will get a new kitchen where the Post Office was based.
The village is progressing with plans for a community-run post office and store and has identified suitable new premises. There are many people willing to volunteer.
Postmistress Margaret Scott said: “We are very optimistic about the restoration of postal services with a community-run store. Little Houghton is a village with active and community-minded people. People want to volunteer to help others. We are both turning 70 this year, so people have been very understanding about our retirement. The villagers wished us good luck. We had cards and gifts from customers.
“The COVID lockdown has been good for business, but not good for personal health. We were at cash & carry at 6am every morning queuing to get in at 7am to see what products were available.
“The best thing about running a post office and a store is the people you interact with. We have many friends in the village and we intend to meet and greet them personally, rather than behind the post office counter!
Margaret and Del look forward to having more time to relax with their eight cats and to have more time to spend with their family.