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Britain's longest-serving postmistress Esther Brauer retires | |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Britain's longest-serving postmistress has retired after 61 years. | |
Esther Brauer, 83, ran the business, first from her home in Kylesku in Sutherland, and for the last 31 years from a wooden shed in her garden. | Esther Brauer, 83, ran the business, first from her home in Kylesku in Sutherland, and for the last 31 years from a wooden shed in her garden. |
She said she had finally made up her mind to stand down because of her computer "going doolally". | |
Mrs Brauer started working in 1953 and over the years has seen the introduction of postcodes and decimalisation. | Mrs Brauer started working in 1953 and over the years has seen the introduction of postcodes and decimalisation. |
From her 6ft by 8ft (1.8m by 2m) shed in the remote north west Highlands, 89 miles (144km) from the nearest city, Inverness, she handled five to six letters on a busy day. | From her 6ft by 8ft (1.8m by 2m) shed in the remote north west Highlands, 89 miles (144km) from the nearest city, Inverness, she handled five to six letters on a busy day. |
She also sold about 100 stamps each year. | She also sold about 100 stamps each year. |
Mrs Brauer provided a six-days-a-week service and last year was awarded a long service award from the Post Office. | Mrs Brauer provided a six-days-a-week service and last year was awarded a long service award from the Post Office. |
She said: "I don't feel 83 to be honest. It sounds stupid to say it, I am just 23 in my head." | She said: "I don't feel 83 to be honest. It sounds stupid to say it, I am just 23 in my head." |
On her technology problems, she said: "The computer's gone all doolally. It was distressing me." | On her technology problems, she said: "The computer's gone all doolally. It was distressing me." |
With her husband Walter, 87, she plans to make the most of her retirement. | With her husband Walter, 87, she plans to make the most of her retirement. |
She said: "I think my husband and I will go away more often. | She said: "I think my husband and I will go away more often. |
"I think we will travel quite a bit, but I don't know where at the moment." | "I think we will travel quite a bit, but I don't know where at the moment." |
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