New postmistress at Bonar Bridge
A NEW postmistress has taken over Bonar Bridge Post Office this week.
She is Abaigeal Milne (28) and a special reception was held in advance of the official opening following refurbishment .
In April 2014 the Kyle of Sutherland Trust (KoSDT) took over the ownership of the post office.
The purchase was enabled by a £120,000 grant from the Scottish Land Fund which is delivered in partnership with Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Big Lottery Fund Scotland.
The reason for the purchase was to enable the trust to work with the former postmistress to find a new person to take over the vital business contract and to keep it in the same location.
Both of these objectives have now been achieved and the trust is delighted that not only will the business remain in the same building – and not be subsumed into another local shop – but that it will also provide Abaigeal with the opportunity to grow a thriving business.
At the reception Pete Campbell, chairman of KoSDT, welcomed guests, thanked the Scottish Land Fund for their support and stressed how
delighted the trust was that Abaigeal had secured the post office contract and will now be able to grow a successful business.
He said he hoped the project will be very well supported by everyone in the Kyle of Sutherland.
Abaigeal said: “I am delighted to have been offered the opportunity to take on the role of postmistress for the Bonar Bridge Post Office.
“I have been overwhelmed by the support of the post office’s current customers whilst I have been working on a temporary basis for Doris Calder the previous postmistress.
“I would also like to acknowledge the support of the Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust for their financial and moral support throughout the process of gaining the contract.
“I hope that people in the Kyle of Sutherland will continue to support the business and will pop into to see my new range of products which will be on sale. Without the encouragement and support from Doris Calder and Graham Sawyer, the former Dornoch Post Office postmaster who helped me, I would not be here today opening my own business.”
Eilidh Todd representing the Scottish Land Fund said: “The Scottish Land Fund was set up to empower communities to own and manage land and buildings that are important to them.
“It’s great to see that the post office will now able to serve the local community, whilst also providing job creation in the area.
“I wish Abaigeal all the best in her new role.”
