Shop in Tostock is back in business for just one day in memory of two former shopkeepers

Villagers took a step back in time at the weekend when their village shop and post office was recreated in memory of two former shopkeepers.

Jean Wheeler and Reta Stevens ran the Old Post Office in Tostock between 1966 and 1997. When shop trade was hit by new supermarkets and post office services modernised with technology, they changed tack and turned it into a charity collection centre for the community.

Jean, died in July 2018 and sadly this year, Reta, passed away too, aged, 91.

On Saturday, Reta’s nephew Gary Stevens, recreated and opened the shop again for one day so people could pay their respects. Villagers hadn’t been able to attend Reta’s funeral due to Covid-19 restrictions.

“We spent 15 days in total restocking with a whole range of items which Reta and Jean had collected over the years, including everything from books and CDS, to an ornate piano stool and a boomerang,” said Gary, 59, who lives in Frinton-on-Sea, Essex.

“After they stopped running the shop and post office they used the building as a collection centre where people would drop things off for charities. Many of the items were from their own collections, too.

“We opened at 9am, with Covid-19 safety guidelines, and there were even queues in the morning. We must have seen 60 to 70 on the day.”

The shop opening was the idea of Gary’s daughter Hannah. For Reta’s funeral, the hearse had stopped at the end of the village green and many residents gathered to say farewell.

“Hannah said: why don’t you open the shop so people can say a proper goodbye” added Gary.

“We also sold sweets and items, raising around £450, and it was fun to hear villagers reminisce about fruit salad and lemon sherberts, and the old days.”

Pip Fletcher, chair of Tostock Parish Council, said: “Jean and Reta also produced the Tostock Chronicle and were the Tostock recorders, recording the village activities, societies and events. Jean was also the clerk to the parish council for many years. They both liked to keep busy.

“Thanks to Gary and family for inviting us to have one last look at the shop and remember Jean and Reta. Money raised will go to Tostock Past and Present Society.”