Captain Tom postmaster celebrated for long service

Bill Chandi ran the post office in Marston Moretaine for 37 years

A postmaster who ran his shop in the village where charity fundraiser Sir Captain Tom Moore used to live has been celebrated for his long service.

People in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire, gathered at the local community centre on Saturday to thank Bill Chandi who retired earlier this year after 37 years.

To mark Capt Sir Tom's 100th birthday in April 2020, Mr Chandi made it possible for people to send cards, presents and charity donation cheques to the village post office.

He said despite suffering from cancer at the time, being involved in the fundraising for NHS charities was "the highlight of my life".

Mr Chandi said being part of the Sir Captain Tom Moore NHS fundraising "was just what the country needed to raise spirits at the difficult time of the pandemic"

"I was really glad that I could be a part of this amazing time for the village. It was very joyful and uplifting," he said.

"I only told Sir Captain Tom's family afterwards what I had personally been going through and most customers were not aware. Now my health is good I'm happier to talk about it."

Bill Chandi and his wife Rani were thanked by guests including Mid Bedfordshire's Conservative MP Blake Stephenson MP (right)

Captain Sir Tom, who raised almost £33m for NHS charities by walking laps of his garden, died with coronavirus in February 2021.

Being involved in "all the amazing publicity and joy" surrounding his fundraising and 100th birthday was "full-on", said Mr Chandi.

"What very few people knew was that I had been diagnosed with cancer. I was having chemotherapy, but I was still running my post office for my customers, taking birthday presents to the home of Sir Captain Tom and doing lot of TV, radio and newspaper interviews."

The community celebration also marked Mr Chandi's 34 years in his ongoing role of parish councillor.

Mr Chandi surrounded by thousands of 100th birthday cards for Sir Captain Tom Moore which were put on show at Bedford School in April 2020

Marston Moretaine Post Office is now run by postmistress Niyamat Chandi, from Bedford, who is no relation.

Post Office area manager, Keith Mabberley, said: "Bill truly was a great ambassador for Post Office during the pandemic.

"Not only did Bill keep his post office open during Covid, he really went above and beyond to get involved in this unique and inspiring Captain Sir Tom story.

"Despite his own personal health battle and treatment, he was still putting others and his beloved community first."