Special praise
If we ever needed reminding just how important we are to the community and how so many of our customers feel about our brand and heritage, then look no further.
103-year-old Margaret Swan, from Wycliffe, County Durham, asked a local reporter from the Teesdale Mercury to write an article about how important Royal Mail is to ‘real people.’
Mrs Swan still lives at home and her only contact with her family in America, Australia and South Africa is through letters and cards, which are regularly delivered to her home.
The post also keeps her up to date with the travels of her son, Robert Swan OBE, who tours the world talking about environmental issues. He is famous for being the first person in history to walk to both the North and South Poles.
Mrs Swan had particular praise for her current postman, Chris Wheel, from Barnard Castle delivery office, who she said was always happy to make his deliveries, even during the recent snowstorms.
‘We have always been a strong family and keeping in touch has been a family tradition,’ she said. ‘We are so lucky in this country to have such a lovely postal service. They are really wonderful.
‘I depend on the postal service for all my letters and cards. It is essential, especially for outlying people.
‘People in America can't believe how wonderful our postal service is. In America, where my son lives, they have to go to the sorting office to collect their mail.’
Mrs Swan told the Teesdale Mercury that when she suffered a fall in her home a few years ago, it was her postman who came around and helped her back up.
Following Mrs Swan’s praise of Royal Mail, Chris delivered a bouquet of flowers to her in thanks.
‘During my three years delivering on this round, I’ve built up a great friendship with Margaret and her carers,’ said Chris. ‘I felt very proud to present her with the flowers for her kind words towards myself and Royal Mail.
‘She has a wonderful sense of humour and I always enjoy the little chats I have with her while delivering her mail from her family far and wide.’
