Swerford

Peter Ogles, a well-known Swerford resident was awarded the MBE in the 2007 New Year Honours List. He has given over 40yrs continuous service in the GPO and has clocked up almost 23yrs as an active member of the St John's Ambulance Brigade. So how did it all start? We spoke to him recently to find out.

JC Have you always lived in Swerford, Peter?

PO No, but my father was born in Park Cottage in 1916. His mother was staying with her parents whilst his Dad was in the army. My parents lived in Enstone, and I was born in Chipping Norton Maternity Unit in 1951.

JC So when did you move to Swerford?

PO In the late 1960's. We moved from Enstone to Charlbury when I was eleven, so I went to secondary school there. Then my parents, myself and my sister and younger brother moved into 'Glen Roy' in Swerford, a house we inherited from an aunt. I still live there with my mother. My brother lives locally and my sister is in Devon. My father died in the late 1980's.

JC So how did you come to join the Post Office?

PO It runs in the family! My grandfather worked for the Post Office for over 40yrs and my father retired as a postman in the early 1970's after 33yrs service. They both delivered mail in Swerford. I joined as a Junior Postman, based in Oxford, straight from school when I was fifteen.

JC And what was your role in those early days?

PO I helped in delivering telegrams and acted as mate on parcel lorries and generally 'learnt the ropes'. At eighteen I progressed to the real work of a delivery roundsman based in the then Enstone office and covering a territory around Little Tew.

JC And now?

PO In the mid 1970's the sorting office at Enstone was closed and Post Office operations were centralised at Chipping Norton, which is where I am based now. I delivered post in Swerford after Little Tew and now my territory is the Churchill area.

JC Tell me a little bit about your work with the St John's Ambulance. How did you become involved?

PO Various friends,colleagues and relations had been trained in first aid by the organisation, and I read some of literature they'd been given and was intrigued. I took a course myself in 1984 and then joined as a member. I attend and support most local events such as Banbury Fair, Cropredy Festival and Emma's Day in Chipping Norton. Sometimes I assist further afield, for example at the Silverstone Grand Prix. I am also a very keen fundraiser for the continuation of the service.

JC And if you were to sum up your reaction to your award of MBE?

PO Amazement!

JC Thank you Peter, and congratulations!