From Germany to the Midlands: Postmaster who relocated to south Shropshire celebrates 30 years in 'close-knit' community

His English girlfriend, Karen, who is now his wife, had been working in Germany at the Japanese, then Canadian Embassy in Berlin, then wanted to return home. 

Klaus, who lived in a rural area on the outskirts of Bonn, agreed to move to England, but he had certain criteria to be met. Karen was originally from Willenhall, but he didn’t want to live in a town or city as he loves the countryside. He also wanted somewhere to be able to see and to be able to enjoy the four seasons. 

They needed a home and Klaus was looking for a business opportunity. Bucknell Post Office and a gorgeous, rare, crook frame house, built in 1486, ticked all the boxes. The village is in the beautiful Teme Valley, which is an area of outstanding natural beauty in south Shropshire on the borders with Herefordshire and Wales. 

Bucknell postmaster, Klaus, said: “I can look out of my windows and see the rolling hills. I can currently see the leaves changing colour and there are four distinct seasons, so I am very happy. Our house has a lot of character and we love it, but it has required a lot of work in the past 30 years, but it has brought us lots of please.

 “This is a very close-knit community and many people are related, or they’ve lived here a long time. People have made us very welcome, including Karen, who works elsewhere. I have been best man to two people from Bucknell and I have three godsons here. 

“Bucknell Post Office is at the heart of the village opposite the church. I provide a lifeline to many rural communities. This is the only place within a six-mile radius to withdraw cash as there are no longer any banks in the area. I do a lot of business with people making free cash withdrawals here. 

“On a Wednesday the pensioners enjoy coffee morning at the church and they all come here to take out pension money to last the week. This is a sociable place to be.

“I stayed open throughout the pandemic and people were grateful that they could stay local for vital Post Office services including withdrawing cash, paying bills, sending letters and parcels and home shopping returns.”

Bucknell Post Office has been at the same location in Chapel Lawn Road since 1906. Before that it was further along the road from 1886.

A 30 Years’ Post Office Long Service Award has been presented to Klaus by Post Office Area Manager, Jennifer Pougunas.

Jennifer Pougunas, said: “I want to sincerely thank Klaus for being the postmaster for Bucknell for 30 years. His Post Office is essential for this village and the surrounding communities. He’s well liked in the village and he really cares about his customers.”