‘An affa fine loon’
There were plaudits aplenty for Portknockie's most popular postman, Jamie Shewan, when the village he has served so faithfully for the past eight years turned out in force to thank him for his exceptional service.
When Jamie began his rounds the other day, he discovered scores of customers, young and old, had displayed messages in their windows hailing his exceptional service.
Driven by Facebook Messenger posts between Portknockie residents, the move was kept a closely guarded secret until Jamie came to town with the mail.
It all came as something of a shock to Jamie, who has been with Royal Mail since 2007. ‘This was all a big surprise,’ he told Grampian Online. ‘I've had cards and messages, even sweeties left out for me. I hadn't a clue this was going to happen, and I can't thank everybody enough for this. It's left me speechless and it's not often that happens!
‘This is all very humbling. I love the Portknockie run, they're a really thoughtful and kind bunch of people here. I'm always keen to help folk out if I can. When I finish my round I'll often go back and check if folk are in who I missed earlier.’
The well-liked postman was typically modest about all the praise he’s received, including the below poem a customer wrote about him, and keen to share the limelight with others.
‘Jamie, you are the best ever postie that we have had along this coastie.
You deliver our bills with a welcome smile. It lessens the pain of the bills for a while.
All year long through sun, snow and hail, you always ensure we get our mail.
This lockdown has meant that folk cannot mingle. It’s hard for me and my pals who are single.
You are a saint and an affa fine loon. You’re weel liked by abidy in the toon.
We thank you Jamie so very much for helping us all to keep in touch.’
‘This isn't just for me,’ said Jamie. ‘It's for all my colleagues as well and recognises all the hard work we're doing at the moment. We are key workers, but the real key workers for me are in the NHS, the care workers, people doing jobs like that. At the end of the day, I hope everybody keeps safe, goes by the official guidelines and we'll see you all soon hopefully.’
The tributes came as no surprise at all to Buckie delivery office manager, Martin Cole, who said: ‘Jamie, like the rest of his colleagues, is working really, really hard to maintain a sense of normality for people who are stuck inside due to self-isolating or the lockdown. We're all very proud of him and grateful to the people of Portknockie for recognising him in this way.
‘It's great to see them take the time to show their gratitude. I'm proud of him and all the staff here and appreciate everything they do for the people of Buckie and the surrounding area.’
