Last Post for Posties! It's the end of an era. That is how Berry Davis described her retirement after 21 years in charge of Helmdon Post Office. She, together with her assistant Anne Harman, who had worked there for 24 years, provided a full postal service to villagers as well as selling freshly baked bread, milk, vegetables and sweets. And as a token of appreciation the pair were showered with gifts from villagers on their last day on Friday, which included an engraved clock each, gift tokens and a postman's hat each made into a bouquet. Mrs Davis said: "I am 66 years old now and although it was a very sad day, I think it is time I retired. I am also not in the best of health." Mrs Harman, aged 57 added: "I will miss this place a lot especially the children who used to come in after school to buy their sweets." Villagers can get a reduced postal service in the Reading Room, in Church Street, twice a week. The Banbury Guardian - 16th February 1995