Menheniot postmaster Gary Walters is to attend King Charles III’s Coronation ceremony as one of only 2,000 guests invited to Westminster Abbey. 

Gary received the British Empire Medal in the 2022 New Year’s Honours List in recognition of his role as postmaster for the village of Menheniot and providing post office outreach services to 15 other communities in South East Cornwall. It was also acknowledge that Gary went above and beyond during the pandemic.  

The names of recent recipients of British Empire Medals were put in a ballot and 450 people from across the UK were chosen to attend the actual Coronation ceremony. Only 2,000 guests in total have been invited to the historic occasion.  

Gary will be mixing with Royal family members and close friends of King Charles, who was the Duke of Cornwall for 70 years.  

He said: “I was amazed when I got the British Empire Medal and last year, my wife Sarah and I got to enjoy a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on a beautifully warm and sunny day. There was Princess Kate, Prince Edward, Princess Sophie and Princess Alexandra. That was an unforgettable day, but it’s unbelievable that I am now going to be at the actual Coronation ceremony sitting amongst the congregation.”  

Gary was the UK’s youngest ever postmaster. He took on the role at 18-years-old. At the age of 15 Gary left school and his career started when he joined the family business – the shop and Post Office in Menheniot. 

In the past 11 years, he and his team have provided outreach post office services to a growing number of communities in the area. They visit at set times each week, even throughout the pandemic.  

During covid Gary’s shop started food home deliveries and post office services including collecting packages and letter for posting, paying utility bills to those shielding, the elderly and those isolating. This service was originally six days a week when the need was greatest. This service still continues twice a week for the vulnerable. 

Despite being very busy with his post offices and shop, community-minded still finds time to help Menheniot Village Hall as treasurer and bookings secretary.  

Menheniot Post Office and SPAR store are at the heart of the community for a place to buy groceries and use post services, a meeting point and a place for buying tickets for various events and fund-raising initiatives in Menheniot.