Seas the day
Postal deliveries for residents of the beautiful Brownsea Island in Dorset have been completed by boat for over 100 years, and postman Sheridan Bartlett is the latest incumbent in a long line of mail-bearing seafarers to complete the route.
The boat sets off at 7.30am each morning, and crosses the four-and-a-half mile route on the island, which is also cared for by the National Trust.
The route covers 12 delivery points, including the local National Trust property office and historic Brownsea Castle, as well as the homes of the Trust staff who live on the island.
Delivering letters and parcels amidst a backdrop of fresh sea air and stunning scenery means that Poole-based Sheridan, who has worked for Royal Mail for 26 years, counts himself as one of the luckiest postmen in the country.
‘One of the things that many postmen and women I speak to love most about their job is the chance to be outdoors, and I’m particularly lucky with the rare combination of fresh sea air, amazing wildlife and beautiful countryside,’ said Sheridan.
Westbourne delivery office manager Matthew Goodwin, said: ‘Brownsea Island is one of our most unusual and coveted postal routes, and we love the opportunity to show it off where we can!’
