Lake Vyrnwy postmistress Audrey honoured for dedication
When people drop in at the post office in Llanwddyn on the shores of Lake Vyrnwy, there's a good chance they will find themselves sharing a cup of tea with postmistress Audrey Jones.
Mrs Jones is a familiar friendly face at the branch, which has been based in the community centre at the heart of the village ever since she took on the role 20 years ago. She will often chat with customers over a brew about life in the village.
Nowadays the branch opens two days a week on Mondays and Thursdays. But it continues to attract a steady stream of customers and remains a vital part of community life.
Now Mrs Jones has been rewarded by Post Office bosses with a long service award. She has received a paperweight, a pin brooch and a shopping voucher in recognition of her efforts.
It is some achievement for a woman who only took on the role as a stop gap to make sure the post office didn't close when its former building was sold. Instead it became one of the first post offices in Wales to be set up in a community building.
Mrs Jones said: "It was in 1991 that the building that housed the post office was sold and the new owners didn't want to keep it open. Because I had been doing some hours in the post office I agree to take the position over as a stop gap until someone else could be found - I am still here."
The Post Office brought in what they called a "Tardis" – a purpose built and secure, mini office that was installed in Llanwddyn Community Centre.
"Then the doctors' surgery moved out of the community centre and the Post Office took that over. It is a perfect position."
The part time position of postmistress has, Mrs Jones said, suited her perfectly.
"I was widowed when the children were five and six years old and so taking on the role meant that we could stay in the village and the children could continue going to the village school while I could work locally," she said.
"There is always tea and coffee on the go and people come along and will always meet someone to chat to."
Mrs Jones is involved in a number of community organisations.
She helps to write and produce the regular Llanwddyn newsletter and also organises village trips such as those to Llandudno in the summer.
Each September she helps at the Lake Vrynwy Half Marathon and last week organised not one but two Macmillan coffee mornings at the post office.
"Its a wonderful community and its been very good to me. It is good to give something back."
