Northumberland Postmistress Celebrates 40 Years of Service

Bessie Rogerson runs a village post office. She operates it from her spare room in Northumberland, where she has worked for 40 years. Bessie, now 67, has no plans to retire anytime soon.

She started the Hepple Post Office in 1985. Her spare room became the operational hub. Bessie worked alongside her husband George, who was a funeral director and joiner, while also raising two children.

In 2009, Bessie expanded her services to more communities. These included branches in Thropton and Sharperton, along with Netherton, Otterburn, and Rochester. The job changed over the years, yet she still finds joy in serving people.

Bessie loves her post office job. Every day, she happily goes to work. She enjoys helping all the people she serves.

However, the weather, especially snow, does worry Bessie. One time, during her first week on the Rochester route, she crashed her car. Luckily, Bessie was not hurt.

Now, she warns her customers about snow and says she won’t drive in snowy conditions. She admitted she drove too fast that day, which caused her car to flip over.

After the accident, she felt stuck but thankful she was alright. Consequently, she decided to stay home when it snows. Her role is crucial in the remote area, as the nearest bank in Alnwick is an hour away, and longer for other villages.

The closures of Lloyds and Halifax branches in Hexham and Alnwick make her post office work vital. Bessie helps people with banking tasks, including deposits, withdrawals, checks, and balance inquiries.

People need to know their bank balances, especially the many older folks who struggle with online banking. Bessie does not know who could replace her. She will keep working as long as she is able, since the post office operates from her own home.

People count on her, she said. She enjoys seeing her customers, many of whom have become her friends. The villages she serves encompass a diverse population, from the elderly to families.

After 40 years, Bessie received a 40 Years’ Long Service Award. Natalia Anderson, a Post Office area manager, thanked Bessie. She noted that Bessie is a first-class postmistress, known for her kindness and knowledge.