Harborough postmaster is being saluted for her heroic work during the Covid-19 crisis

An incredible Market Harborough postmaster is being saluted by the Post Office for her heroic work during the Covid-19 crisis.

Nicky Ransome, 54, was a finalist in the Local Hero class at the Post Office ‘We’re Stronger Together’ awards for the Midlands for outstanding service throughout the pandemic.

Ecstatic Nicky and her husband Milan, 63, have been knocking out exhausting 15-20-hour days running Great Bowden Post Office, based at their 170-year-old shop Welton’s.

She was nominated for the prestigious accolade as she toiled night and day to keep her popular branch open and serve her grateful community as the country battled its greatest-ever peacetime challenge.

Super-dedicated Nicky, who didn’t take one day off for three months, told the Harborough Mail: “I’m delighted and very proud to have been put forward for this top Post Office award.

“I don’t really see myself as a hero.

“I’ve just worked very hard alongside my husband to keep the business running and do our best for our many customers.

“I’m not a charity worker!”

And the tenacious but modest businesswoman stressed: “I want to thank my fantastic staff.

“I’ve got a brilliant team here working with us.

“We’ve got five workers back now while some are still furloughed.

“But I couldn’t do this without them – this recognition is just as much for them as it is for me.”

Ironically Nicky, who has run the iconic Victorian store, deli and tearoom on The Green, Great Bowden, for 11 years, said she had sold her shop just before Covid-19 struck.

“We were due to complete the sale on Tuesday March 31 – just days after the lockdown was imposed.

“So that was the end of that,” she said.

“We were going to take a short holiday, see our family and think about what to do next.

“But you never know what’s round the corner – and we never count our chickens.

“So we had to quickly re-stock like mad, totally reset and go again during this very strange time.

“Our staff are very pleased that we are still very much here – and hopefully our many customers are too!

“We’ve now taken the business off the market, we’ll re-build and we’ll be going strong here in amazing Great Bowden for at least the next year or two.”

Indomitable Nicky said putting in shattering shifts day in day out had made her and hubby Milan much fitter.

“Working from sunrise to sunset has been incredible for us on the physically active front.

“We’ve both lost a stone each and feel so much slimmer and better,” she said.

“We were also delighted that our coronavirus story was told ever so well in the Harborough Mail at the end of May.

“We’ve had a fantastic response and so many more people have come in to see us after reading your article.

“It’s been a tough old few months for all of us across Harborough.

“But things are picking up all the time and it’s upwards and onwards for all of us here at Welton’s and the post office now.”

Saluting indefatigable Nicky, Post Office Area Manager Dave Rutt said: “Nicky at Great Bowden Post Office was nominated for our Local Hero award for working tirelessly through the pandemic to support her customers and her community.

“Nicky was due to sell the business just before the pandemic started - and although it fell through it didn’t stop her going the extra mile.

“She started a food delivery service for the local area, and advertised it on Facebook.”

Dave added: “She didn’t take a single day off for three months!

“Nicky’s dedication to her customers and her community is absolutely exemplary.”

Nick Read, the Post Office’s chief executive, said: “I have heard many inspiring stories of postmasters going the extra mile.

“I have welcomed the opportunity to hear first-hand how postmasters in the Midlands have fared during the pandemic, including Great Bowden.

“All retailers have been affected and the Post Office was no exception.

“The next few weeks and months will be a critical period as we try and return to a sense of normality.

“Post Office branches have a vital role to play in supporting their customers and communities, as well as helping small businesses and independent retailers get back on their feet.”

If you would like to read the Harborough Mail’s in-depth spotlight on Nicky and Milan from May you can find it here:

https://www.harboroughmail.co.uk/business/incredible-couple-are-working-15-20-hour-days-bid-keep-170-year-old-weltons-great-bowden-open-2865809