“One of the best days of my life” - shopkeepers stunned by villagers' remarkable act of kindness near Harborough

Villagers in Harborough have stunned a “brilliant” couple who run their beloved shop and post office – by handing them over £1,100 on their 25th wedding anniversary.

Over 80 people and families in Great Easton chipped in to raise the astonishing sum for Diane and Mark Howson, 54, of Market Harborough, who were “blown away” by the remarkable gesture.

Shell-shocked Diane, 56, who operates Great Easton Village Stores alongside her equally-dedicated husband, hailed it as “one of the best days of my life” when over 60 locals turned up unannounced to surprise them at 11am on Wednesday (December 2).

“I am speechless – I just don’t know what to say,” she told the Harborough Mail minutes after the emotion-charged presentation was made by Cllr Phil Long, chair of Great Easton Parish Council, and stalwart villager Alice Murdock.

“I still can’t believe what the amazing people here in the village have done for me and Mark.

“This has come totally out of the blue.

“We just like to stand back and be part of the crowd – I’ll never talk to them again!” she joked.

“I was a bit embarrassed at first but to be honest we are just absolutely blown away and bowled over.

“The people of Great Easton have looked after us since the first day we took over the stores and post office six years ago.

“We live in Market Harborough town centre.

“But we have both worked in retail before and fancied taking on the challenge,” said Diane.

“The villagers here have embraced us right from the start.

“They couldn’t have been friendlier or more supportive as we set out to run this store and give them the best possible service.

“We are so grateful to them for a wonderful six years.

“And as for what they’ve done here today for us.

“Well it almost beggars belief.

“And the cheeky monkeys did such a great job keeping it quiet – we had no idea they were about to spring this on us!”

Diane said her and Mark had been hoping to go away to a Center Parcs adventure centre in Suffolk to celebrate their silver wedding landmark.

“That break, of course, fell victim to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“So we decided to go out to a top restaurant for a romantic meal in Market Harborough,” said Diane.

“But then that too got the chop.

“We got out of bed on Wednesday wondering just how we were going to celebrate our 25th together – apart from driving in to open our shop as usual.

“But now we’ve been told that villagers are banding together to cook us a starter, main course and dessert instead.

“Now that really is extraordinary.

“It’s one thing to sign a card or even contribute to a whip-round.

“But to take the time, trouble and effort to cook us a 25th wedding anniversary meal – now that’s on a whole new different level.

“There must have been over 60 people here outside the shop wishing us all the best.

“We had flowers, gifts and cards everywhere,” said Diane.

“It’s so humbling – people have been so kind and generous.

“This is without doubt one of the best days of our entire lives.

“In normal times we might well have thrown a party to celebrate.

“But it wouldn’t have been anywhere near as good and as incredible as this massive show of affection – because this comes straight from the heart.

“The people here in Great Easton are very genuine.

“They love to pop in for a chat as well as to buy their groceries and we love to catch up with them and their lives.

“We’ve got a real bond and rapport with them – and this has only strengthened that.

“And when we can we’ll stage a huge party for everyone next year to let our hair down and have a time that none of us will ever forget,” vowed Diane.

Villager Bob Wilson, 67, said that his wife Julie, 63, was the inspiration behind the phenomenal act of kindness.

“Julie’s a sculptor and Diane is in her class.

“So we got the ball rolling between us and it just took off,” said Bob, a parish councillor.

“This is our unique way of saying a massive thank you to both Diane and Mark for all they do for us.

“We could not wish for a better couple to run our village store.

“They have both gone the extra mile, literally, all year.

“They immediately made sure that their shop was Covid-safe back in March before the first lockdown.

“And they went out time and again delivering parcels, food and other essentials to the elderly and vulnerable in our village and beyond.

“The store is right at the heart of our village – it’s our lifeblood,” said retired Bob, a dad-of-three.

“We couldn’t have got by without Mark and Diane and their fantastic store and post office in what’s been a very difficult, challenging year for us all.

“So we were all determined to put a smile on their faces and show our enormous appreciation and support for all that they have done for us week in week out.

“And what better way than to surprise them on their 25th wedding anniversary when their plans have been totally derailed by the pandemic.

“They even help out with some dog-sitting.

“And our village dogs love Diane so much that they won’t walk past their store without popping in to say hello!

“That sums it up.

“We are very lucky here in Great Easton to have Mark and Diane looking after us – and long may they stay to do so.”

And whether you live in Great Easton or not, you too can check out Diane and Mark’s extra-special village store here on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gevspo/