A POST OFFICE owner who has served the community for 30 years is being recognised for her work.

Postmaster, Hemlata Gandhi MBE, who is known locally as ‘Hema’, and her husband Mahesh Gandhi, known as ‘Mr G’, are celebrating over 30 years’ of service with the Risinghurst Post Office, at 46 Downside Road, Headington.

The Postmaster said: “Our customers are cheerful and friendly; they know us and we know them well.

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“Mr G is the centre point of the community, if a customer has any problems, or needs a number for some help, he is the go-to person,”

Mrs Gandhi’s career began when she was 16-years-old and working with her father at his Post Office branch in the 1970s.

At the time everything was manual, so she would help her father double count the stamped books when customers came to collect their pensions and benefits.

When Mr and Mrs Gandhi’s son, Dillan, was a toddler, the couple decided to move out of London and take on the Risinghurst Post Office.

Post Office Area Manager Josh Richardson presented Mrs Gandhi with her 30 year’s long service award and thanked the pair for their devotion.

The family, including their daughter Jasmine, have been at the centre of the community for over three decades now.

Mr G added: “It’s a very tight-knit community.

“We know most of our customers and enjoy working with the community on charity initiatives.

“They are like our family.”

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In 2018 Mrs Gandhi was recognised with an MBE for her services to the Post Office and the Oxfordshire Community.

In 2015 Mr Gandhi was recognised by the Indian and British Government with the Bharat Gaurav lifetime achievement award for his work, and involvement with the Hindu Mandal group.

Praising his wife’s dedication to their customers, Mr Gandhi said: “Hema goes above and beyond for all our customers, she sees it as her duty to help everyone.”

The couple hoped to celebrate their milestone with their customers, friends, and family in February – however, due to the pandemic the celebrations were postponed.

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The Postmaster said: “We will do belated celebrations.

“30 years – we don’t know where the time has gone, it has flown by.

“We’ve been so happy.

“We have had great support from the Post Office and our Area Managers, as well as our customers.”

The couple thanked the community and their neighbours who have supported them over the past three decades.

Mr Gandhi added: “The Post Office is in our DNA, we truly love the Post Office and our community.”