Postie retires after 38 years (From Free Press Series)

Postie retires after 38 years

DELIVERING the mail was just one aspect of the job for retiring postman Robin Woodhouse.

The Abergavenny-based postal worker has also acted as a sorter, manager and has even reunited a family during his 38-year career at Royal Mail.

"One of my fondest memories was when I brought a mother and a daughter together who hadn't seen each other in 30 years," said Mr Woodhouse, from St George Crescent, Abergavenny.

"It started when a letter came in from the US addressed to Westgate Buildings in Abergavenny but that address has not existed for 25 years.

"I took a look at the letter and it was written by a girl who was writing on behalf of her mother in Glasgow.

"She said her mother was trying to trace her own mother who had been forced to give her up when she was five.

"I thought the name sounds familiar and asked a lady I knew in the British Legion if she was part of the same family.

"I showed her the letter and she burst into tears - she was the mother they were trying to trace.

"She was too frightened to call the number, so in the end I did it for her!"

Mr Woodhouse said it was a touching moment when mother, daughter and granddaughter were eventually reunited two years ago.

It was one of many highlights of his career which began in June 13, 1966 and has seen him work at various offices including Abergavenny, Brecon, Usk and Monmouth.

"If all the letters I've delivered were put in a pile I reckon my last one would just about be in heaven," he joked.

He celebrates his 65th birthday next Wednesday, August 18 and will perform his last shift, delivering letters at Cwmdu near Crickhowell on the Tuesday.

Former manager Ray Richards said his experience would be missed.

"He is a mine of local information and when he retires it will all be gone," he said.

"His recall is wonderful, he can remember so much from as far back as 40 years ago."