Central Suffolk and North Ipswich MP Dr Dan Poulter joined Suffolk County Councillor,  Peter Gould to thank local shop owners, David and Irene Spall and to award certificates to celebrate their work in caring for the local community throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

Despite being in the vulnerable category themselves, Mr and Mrs Spall kept Horham Stores and Post Office open throughout the pandemic, even back in the early days of the first lockdown, making sure that residents of Horham and the surrounding villages were still able to shop.

As Mr and Mrs Spall were unable to allow anyone into the shop, customers were able to wait outside for their order to be brought to the door.  To overcome the difficulties of contact-free payment, a fishing net was used to collect payment and any change was returned in the fishing net.  Mr and Mrs Spall were nominated by Suffolk County Council Leader, Cllr Matthew Hicks, as part of the inaugural Suffolk MPs Suffolk Heroes Awards.

In presenting the Suffolk Heroes award to Mr and Mrs Spall, Dr Poulter said “The Covid-19 pandemic has been the most incredibly difficult time for so many of us, but it has also brought out the very best in our Suffolk communities and highlighted the incredible lengths that people are prepared to go to in helping others. 

“Mr and Mrs Spall have been incredibly in rising to this challenge and I am delighted to have had the opportunity to present their certificates in person and to thank them for all they have done to help others during the pandemic. They have touched many lives and made a big difference during the most difficult months of the pandemic.”

Cllr Peter Gould added “I was delighted to be invited by Dan to attend the presentation of the award and to have the privilege of meeting David and Irene Spall. Their natural modesty and obvious determination to serve their community was inspiring. While we were there every customer who arrived at the shop told us how much they deserved the award and how much they had relied on the service.”