Breaking free

Since the start of the ongoing covid-19 pandemic, we have been inundated with photos and messages sent to us by customers and colleagues alike from across the country praising our people.

One common theme, which has kept popping up since the current lockdown began, is our people’s love of dressing up. From Postman Pat to Spiderman from Ninja Turtles to Elvis, colleagues on delivery have been donning every costume imaginable to help brighten the days of the many millions of us confined to our homes.

Postman John Hall from Wallingford Delivery Office (pictured) has been belting out I (know you) want to break free, to customers in Cholsey, while dressed as the great late Freddie Mercury.

Fife postman David Barbour has been leaving customers All Shook Up with laughter on his morning round. Using his mum’s old Elvis costume, complete with black wig, Vegas suit and guitar-shaped sunglasses, David has been keeping people’s spirits up amid the lockdown in Cardenden.

‘It’s tough at the moment, people are just seeing the inside of the house,’ David told the Scottish Sun. ‘But if they look out the window and see a postman in fancy dress, I thought it might cheer them up a bit. Everyone loved it when I turned up as Elvis.’

Penrith postman, Simon Richardson has been causing a stir by bringing his customers’ letters and parcels every morning dressed as a postbox. ‘On my rounds, I see a lot of people who stay indoors and watch the news – it’s always negative,’ he told Metro. ‘That was the main reason, just to try and cheer people up. It’s nice to see older people taking photos of you and kiddies banging on the window wanting you to wave at them.’

One customer described Simon, who has been a postman for 19 years, as ‘fantastic,’ saying: ‘He’s such a lovely man, he’s always got a smile on his face and he’s really chatty. He’s out and about working so hard in the community for everybody…It’s just nice to see someone smiling and happy going about their job when there is so much bad going on.’

Postman of 22 years, Colin McAalpine from Bulwell Delivery Office, Nottinghamshire, has been delivering the mail around Bestwood Village dressed as a soldier from the 24th Regiment, which took part in the Zulu War. After his rounds, Colin plays the bagpipes in the village square. He has four more costumes to unveil over the coming weeks.

Clevedon postman of 33 years, Terry Barnes, has been wowing his customers in the seaside resort with outfits that have so far, included: a zebra, a clown, Snow White, a Scotsman and Robin Hood. ‘The response has been great,’ he told the Bristol Post. ‘I have children who now wait for me to arrive. It’s also helped brighten the day of the many older people, who are staying at home. It’s added bit of fun to the round and I’m pleased it’s making people smile.’

Redditch postman David Boulton was caught on camera by customers who were dazzled by his brightly-coloured parrot costume, complete with head-dress. David was spotted on delivery with a wing-full of post and a parrot beak to boot. One of his customers told the Sunday Mercury: ‘I love this, something to cheer us up at this time, thank you.’

And finally, postman, Tim Lafford has also been donning a different costume every day, much to the delight of an eight-year-old boy in Fairford. ‘Tim is a star,’ said the boy’s mum, Lisa Clayton. ‘He’s an absolute community hero. Our boy doesn't have a great deal to look forward to while he’s off school. But watching out for Tim and seeing how he’s dressed each day is really brightening up his day.

‘Tim ensures our son doesn't miss out on seeing his outfit by beeping the horn when he parks up outside our home. I have to be honest, I’m beginning to look forward to seeing how he’s dressed myself!

‘At the current time, when life is so uncertain and full of negativity and worry, Tim is doing a truly wonderful thing to help brighten up the streets of Fairford and representing the Royal Mail in such a positive way.’

‘Putting smiles on the kid’s faces and making them laugh through this strange time, is exactly what I aimed to do,’ said Tim. ‘Knowing that’s it’s working, is a lovely feeling.

‘Getting the parents on board is a bonus too! I’m glad I can bring five minutes of joy and lift the spirits of the people of Fairford each day. I’ll continue to do so throughout the lockdown.’

Cirencester delivery line manager, Nigel Keates, said: ‘Tim has certainly stepped up to the community plate, bringing a smile to grown-ups and children alike. Tim is a true star and a great ambassador for the Royal Mail, and his photos on Instagram have had hundreds of hits.

‘He has entered into the true spirit of cheering people up in these difficult times and I’m extremely proud of his community efforts. He deserves a medal for giving us all a laugh and lifting our spirits.’