Shutters come down on family’s 75 year connection to business

Shutters come down on family’s 75 year connection to business

18 March 2015

A BALLYGOWAN family’s 75-year association with postal services in the village ended last week.

Over seven decades after Sarah McMinn opened the Post Office at Victoria Square in the village, her son-in-law Gibson Miskelly closed up for the final time.

Postal services are now being delivered from new premises in Ballygowan and Gibson decided that with the Post Office restructuring its operation, it was the perfect opportunity to retire.

As the clock ticked towards 5.30pm on Tuesday evening of last week, on its last day of business, the Post Office was a hive of activity. But Gibson wasn’t having to cope with a last minute rush. Friends and well-wishers were arriving to say a fond farewell and thank Gibson and his family for all their help over many years.

The sub-postmaster admits he was rather taken aback by the number of cards and gifts he received, having served the local community for 25 years.

“While I have been here for a quarter of a century, my mother-in-law was sub-postmistress for twice that period of time. She was at the helm of the business for 50 years and the closure of the Post Office at this site does mark the end of an era,” he admitted.

Gibson is held in high regard by people in the village and such is the affection residents in Ballygowan have for him that a special event is being held in his honour in the community hall next Monday night.

Located at what was once the former railway station in Ballygowan, Gibson admits while he has retired he has no plans to take things easy and aims to spend more time in his boat.

He explained his mother-in-law’s association with postal services in the village began in 1940 and while unsure when the business relocated to the Saintfield Road, he recollects it being at its current base from the early 1960s.

“The train used to go past the back of our premises and part of the old platform is included in the property’s deeds. Mail delivered by train was also sorted at the Post Office a great many years ago,” said Gibson.

“The fact I am retiring is a sad day for me, but I have been humbled by people’s good wishes, cards and presents. It is something I never expected. I have received over 40 presents which has really taken me aback.”

A former staff member, Jenny Haslett, baked a special cake to mark Gibson’s retirement, featuring the Post Office logo on the top, while his other presents including gift vouchers, chocolates, wine and money.

“When I took over the business in 1990, a first class stamp cost 19p, today it’s 62p, and the role of the sub-postmaster has changed considerably over the past 25 years. The job is hugely different from what it was in 1990. When I took over from Sarah there used to be a lot of books and writing involved, now postal services are increasingly becoming a paperless operation,” explained Gibson.

“I always got on well with my customers and villagers but did not think they would miss me this much,” he joked. “I am humbled by all the gifts and presents and people have written some lovely messages on cards which they have sent or ped in. These are people I have known for a long time and would regard many of my customers as my friends.”

Gibson added: “I am doing the right thing from my point of view, but I am sad to be leaving and today is one of mixed feelings. This has been a large chunk of my life and I am surprised people are being so kind as I retire. I do feel very humble. When you add the 50 years Sarah spent running the business to my 25 it really is the end of an era and I want to thank my wife Pat for all her support.”

Val McMurray, who has been a regular customer at the village Post Office for many years, said he was not surprised so many people wanted to say farewell to Gibson. He called in every night on his way home from work for a newspaper, and always left the premises with considerably more.

“Before the introduction of mobile phones, my wife would contact Gibson and tell him the things she needed me to bring home. When I arrived for my paper, Gibson told me the list of items my wife needed” he explained.

“Gibson’s retirement and the closure of the business on this site after so many years really is the end of an era. We are all very sorry to see Gibson go. I well remember his mother-in-law behind the counter for many years as well as I have been coming in here for nearly 40 years.”

Val added: “It’s no surprise to me so many people are coming today to say goodbye. The people of Ballygowan will be very sad to see Gibson go. He is a lovely man and his mother-in-law was a great lady.”