Our wonderful Wiggy

Service delivery director – Central, Geoff Braden visited Newbury Delivery Office to congratulate postman Mick Wiggins on an incredible 50 years of service.

After spending time chatting with ‘Wiggy’, as he is fondly known among colleagues, Geoff presented him with his long-service award in front of his colleagues.

Newbury postwoman Maria Dent made Mick a postbox-shaped cake, to mark the occasion.

‘I’ve really enjoyed my career with Royal Mail,’ said Mick. ‘I have made some great friendships over the years and I’m still in touch with some of the people who have retired. I’ve seen many changes in my time here and remember fondly working in groups, with one week of earlies, one week of lates and a week of nights. I spent about 15 years on permanent nights!

‘Driving has always been a big part of my job and I have driven just about everything between a minivan and a seven-and-a-half tonne lorry and of course, riding bikes.

‘The most noticeable change about the business has been doing away with paperwork. We used to have to write down every Registered Delivery item. Now, all we have to do is scan using our PDAs. Delivery has been the main part of my career, it’s all about going out and giving a bit of joy or comfort to somebody - that makes it all worthwhile!’

Delivery manager, David Emmons, said: ‘Mick is a very well-respected member of the team. Over the last 50 years he has performed many of the roles in the delivery office, including night shifts, driving lorries and more recently, as a rural delivery postman.

‘Mick is very popular with his customers and prides himself on offering a quality service to them. It is an incredible achievement for him to have reached this milestone. Everyone at Newbury Delivery Office congratulates him!’

Pictured left to right: Mick Wiggins, Newbury delivery office manager, Mark Jenkins and Service delivery director – Central, Geoff Braden.