Well-known and popular postmaster at heart of Northamptonshire village retires after 30 years
A well-known and well-liked postmaster, at the heart of a Northamptonshire village, has announced his retirement after 30 years of service.
Bipin Patel, whose family have run Ecton Brook Post Office for 42 years, has retired after three decades of going above and beyond for his community.
Although Bipin has decided now is the right time to retire, he will continue as a parish councillor and he is keeping his pub and restaurant in the village, called The Jungle @ Bips. He will also help out is brother who runs Thorplands Post Office.
Ayesha Patel took over the Post Office on Thursday March 12. Her and her family are already well-known in the village, thanks to running the Londis shop next to the Post Office, and Bipin says Ayesha is “like a daughter”.
Bipin said: “It’s time for me to retire as postmaster and I’m really pleased that Ayesha is taking over. Customers have been giving me big hugs to thank me for running the Post Office. They are pleased that I can now retire as postmaster and they think it is marvellous that someone they already know will continue in the role.
“I’ve really loved being a postmaster and getting to know people so well.
“I’m not one for sitting still… I will have more time for gardening and badminton, so I will still be busy. I will have more time to enjoy spending time with my family including my three grandchildren who are all under three years’ old.”
Post Office Regional Manager, Tony Sanghera, added: “Bipin is truly at the heart of his village. He has been an excellent postmaster who really cared about the community that he served. I really to really thank him and him family for running Ecton Brook Post Office for 42 years. He can now take a well-earned retirement from this role.”
In 2017, the generous postmaster donated £500,000 of his own money to fund a community centre in Ecton Brook called the Bipin Brook Community Centre. He also finds ways to support good causes, including most recently Cynthia Spencer Hospice, and has devoted time to the National Federation of Sub Postmasters to support other postmasters.