A popular shopkeeper who has gone the extra mile to help villagers during covid was flooded with presents on her 60th birthday today.
Lynn Raffle, who has owned Markington Post Office and General Store for seven years, said she was overwhelmed by the show of affection.
She told the Stray Ferret:
“I feel totally blessed. Balloons were hung outside the shop, I’ve received a portrait of my dog who died last year, I’ve been given Prosecco, a bracelet and six bouquets of flowers — it’s amazing.”
Karen Moss, who painted the portrait, said Ms Raffle had been the beating heart of the village, which is between Harrogate and Ripon, over the last 12 months:
“She has organised provisions for people who couldn’t go to the supermarket.
“She organised a group of volunteers to pick up prescriptions and do any other errands, she was there for whatever people needed.
“She’s a real unsung hero who looks out for everyone, she’s just a really lovely lady that needs to be recognised.”
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Another Markington resident, Meg Nelson, said:
“It always cheers me up popping in to get my bits and having a chat and a giggle with Lynn.
“Thank you for doing such an amazing job of providing us all with a shop and getting hold of anything people request during these hard times.”
Ms Raffle was a cook in the village school for 14 years before taking over the post office.
She works seven days a week, rising at 5.30am every weekday and being in the shop an hour later until 6.15pm at night. She joked:
“I get a lie-in until 6.30am on Sundays.”
The shop was built in 1846 as a chapel and has had many purposes since.
Many old features remain, including meat hooks from its time as a butcher’s shop. Ms Raffle said:
“It’s been the best day ever. I can’t remember a day like it since I went on the Orient Express when I was 50.”