King’s Birthday Honours 2023: Sub-postmistress Patricia Covington earns British Empire Medal after 36 years serving Cambridgeshire village

Patricia Covington has earned a British Empire Medal for services to people in Steeple Morden.

Ms Covington, who is known as Tricia, retired as sub-postmistress at Steeple Morden Post Office in January after 36 years at the helm.

When the previous postmistress retired, Tricia took on the role with the encouragement of her family. The Post Office and small shop moved into the nearby family-run car repair garage in the village, started by her parents Barbara and Peter Prothero in 1955.

Today, her brother David and nephew Charlie continue to operate the garage at 18 Cheyney Street and Tricia’s daughter Emily does the accounts. Her other daughter Helen has helped in the Post Office on a Saturday.

The small shop in the welcome area of the garage continues and Tricia works there a couple of afternoons a week. She said: “I’ve loved my job as postmistress 99.9 per cent of the time.

“Not many people have had that level of job satisfaction. I’m a people person - the best thing about the role is the people that you meet. I’ve got to know people very well.

“We managed to keep open during the pandemic – that kept me sane continuing to provide Post Office services to the village. People were very appreciative.

“I could have retired 10 years ago when my pension came through, but I decided instead of running a full-time branch that I would provide service six mornings a week to maintain service. It is time to step down from the role.

“Retiring will allow me more time for the voluntary work that I do in the village including the Royal British Legion and the Poppy appeal and running an art class.

“Customers are very sad that I’m retiring from the Post Office, but I’m still staying in Steeple Morden, and doing a few hours working in the shop as well as volunteering in the village.”

Caroline Witham-Grange, Post Office area manager, added: “Tricia has dedicated her life to serving this community for 36 years as postmistress.

“Patricia really is at the heart of Steeple Morden village. I want to thank for her devoted service. I hope Tricia enjoys her well-earned retirement and I am sure all of her volunteering will still keep her very busy.”

The Post Office in Steeple Morden has now closed. The nearest one is now in Litlington.

Upon hearing that she’d been awarded the BEM, Patricia told the Cambridge Independent that she felt “very emotional because it was such a surprise”. She said it was “such a shock, but a wonderful one as well.”

Patricia says that as well as working in the Post Office for all these years, she has been heavily involved in the community, including fundraising activities.

“The Royal British Legion is a huge part of what I do,” she explained, “I must have made thousands of poppies, decorated the tree outside the church, we did the 100 Years of Memories for the First World War… and community support, that is my main role, I think.”

Patricia is very grateful to all those who have helped her.

“I wouldn’t have got this award without all the people that supported me,” she said. “My husband Albert has really supported me all the way through with anything that we’ve tried to do, fundraising and all that sort of thing…

“The family have supported me with whatever odd idea we’ve come up with!”