REDBROOK Post Office and Village Stores marked its 10-year anniversary with a community celebration.  

In the summer of 2014, Redbrook was at risk of losing its Post Office and village shop.  

But with two months’ notice, eight villagers quickly rallied round to fund and form Redbrook Village Stores Ltd.  

Howard Hancocks, who led the campaign, became its chairman. The venture, a thriving Post Office and village shop, being a pocket of England within Wales, on the banks of the River Wye. 

Mr Hancocks said: “We are delighted that we have made a success story of Redbrook Post Office and Village Store, so we wanted to mark that achievement, which we managed to do without any temporary closure.” 

“We’ve proved to be the lifeblood of Redbrook and the surrounding area during Covid. The facility managed to stay open throughout the pandemic, whilst many other businesses were temporarily closed.” 

A decade ago, Redbrook Post Office was open just two hours a week, but a decision was made to train everyone who worked in the shop so that Post Office services were always available when the shop was open. 

Now it is open throughout the Village Store’s opening hours of Monday to Saturday between 7am and 7pm with Sunday opening between 9am and 4pm, providing 79-hours of service a week for the convenience of customers. 

A big community get-together was held recently to celebrate what has been achieved in the past ten years. 

Pupils from Redbrook Primary School attended the event with their parents at the end of the school day, along with the directors and staff from the shop. 

Neil Jenkins, Post Office area manager, said: “The people of Redbrook are a shining example of what can be achieved when a community pulls together. Villagers were determined to keep their Post Office and shop open. Despite a very tight deadline, they found the necessary funds, invested in the premises and staff, to operate a very handy Post Office and well-stocked shop, which is open daily. It is impressive accomplishment.” 

A Post Office 10 years’ long service award has also been presented to the eight directors.