Postmaster Ian Evans retires after 22 years at the helm in East Boldre

FOREST postmaster Ian Evans has retired after 22 years at the helm of East Boldre Post Office.

Now supporting the team at East Boldre’s brand new Chapel Stores, located in a former Baptist church, Ian had been in high pressure human resources roles with a blue chip organisation in the Midlands.

Then in his 40s he decided he wanted a complete change of lifestyle. He opted to move to the New Forest and run a post office and shop, and has never looked back.

“I don’t think that I would be alive today if I had carried on with the intense fast-paced HR roles that I had been doing,” he said. “I’d be rich, but dead!”

He added: “Don’t get me wrong, it’s full on running your own business and I chose to open seven days a week. During the pandemic it was also crazy busy as people wanted to stay local.

“I worked longer hours than normal to keep the shop well-stocked, which people really appreciated. I have to say that I have really enjoyed being my own boss in this lovely village.

“If you are moving somewhere new there’s no better way to settle into a community than to run your own post office and shop, as you are at the heart of that community. Within a year you will know most people.”

Ian admits that he briefly considered returning to the Midlands to retire, but ultimately decided to stay in East Boldre.

“I get recognised when I’m in the village or if I pop into Lymington,” he said. “It’s a lovely feeling when people recognise you, smile and want to chat.”

As a highly experienced postmaster, Ian will now help with the transition of the post office to its new location at Chapel Stores. He will also be sharing his retail knowledge to help the new community-run shop.

In semi-retirement Ian hopes to spend more time travelling, swimming, cycling and gardening.

Post Office area manager David Charles said: “We want to thank Ian for his long and loyal service to the East Boldre community.

“I wish him all the best for his well-earned semi-retirement whilst he provides transition support and advice for the new community-run stores and post office, and for all his exciting plans for when he fully retires.”