A PATRIOTIC village postmistress who runs the Post Office in Enham Alamein will be hosting a very special community street party to mark the King’s Coronation.

Leslie Francis has also put up decorations galore at the Post Office, which she and her husband Tim have run for 18 years, for the special Royal occasion.

There is also a coronation plaque outside the shop on Newbury Road to accompany the one for last year’s Platinum Jubilee and the VE (Victory in Europe) Day 75th anniversary celebration in May 2020.

Andover Advertiser: Inside the Post Office Inside the Post Office (Image: Leslie Barry)

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Leslie is helping to organise a royal street party outside the shop on Monday, May 8.

Over her time as a postmistress, she had organised many big community get-togethers and they bring lots of joy to the community.

She said: “We love being part of this community. It has been an eventful few years. The people of Enham Alamein love to mark special occasions. A year ago, I was busy planning for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. It’s really sad that the Queen has passed – she was much loved and respected. Now it is time to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III.”

In the last New Year’s Honour list, she received the British Empire Medal. This was recently presented to her at an awards ceremony in Winchester with the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire. This recognition was for her work providing services to her historic community.

Now Leslie and Tim have also been invited to a Royal Garden party at Buckingham Palace just after the coronation.

Andover Advertiser: Their invitation to the garden party Their invitation to the garden party (Image: Leslie Barry)

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In the Second World War many of the injured from the famous Battle of El Alamein were brought back to the UK. Many were cared for at a recovery centre in the village of Lower Enham, which was re-named because of its special war-time ties.

Enham Trust is a leading disability charity supporting people to transition towards independent living. Enham Alamein village remains a centre for charity work and supporting others.

The close-knit village has many elderly residents and people with disabilities, when Leslie and Tim took over the shop and they widened the aisles to make it easier for customers in wheelchairs or walking sticks and frames.