THE village of Ampleforth is shortly to suffer a two-pronged blow with the retirement of two of its stalwarts and the closure of a combined shop and post office.

The shop in the main street has existed since 1895, says John Severs, the sub-postmaster, who has run the business with his wife Elizabeth since they moved to Ampleforth from Richmond 33 years ago.

The couple, who will be leaving Ampleforth later this year to live near their daughter and her family at Boroughbridge, said their decision to retire had nothing to do with the recent spate of closures of post offices in Ryedale following the Helmsley raid.

"We made up our minds a long time ago. We had hoped to sell the business as a going concern, but much to our regret it will close and the property become a private house," said Mrs Severs.

The Post Office is advertising for a new sub-postmaster or mistress for Ampleforth.

As well as being popular figures in the village through running the shop and post office, the couple have played a key part in Ampleforth's thriving community life.

John has been a parish councillor for 30 years, a past president of the local Lions Club, treasurer of the parish church of St Hilda's for 27 years, a former churchwarden, a founder of the historical society, a member of the Ampleforth Education Foundation and of the Unity Charity.

Every weekend he can found winding up the church clock and as a long-standing skilled campanologist, he is able to ring the three bells - all at the same time!

The church plays a big part in their lives, for both are pastoral assistants and are licensed to take church services in the busy united benefice which also takes in the villages of Oswaldkirk, Gilling and Stonegrave. The current iterregnum is shortly to end with the induction of a new vicar next month.

With Elizabeth's retirement, Ampleforth will be losing its parish clerk of 27 years standing and a search is now on for a replacement.

She secretary to the church council and of the Yorkshire Countrywomen's Association branch. She also revived the Ampleforth produce show and ran it for a number of years before it again went into decline.

Her other interests include running sewing and caligraphy classes.

"We have been very happy in Apleforth. It's a lovely village with very friendly people. We shall be sorry to go because it has been our life for so many years," said Elizabeth.

"But we are looking forward to being nearer our daughter, Janet, and her family."

The couple also have a son, Andrew.

Updated: 11:25 Wednesday, February 05, 2003