Put those feet up Les

Trowbridge postman Les Barnes was given a hero’s farewell by colleagues in Trowbridge on his last day of work after 18 years with the business.

Customers in Semington, where he has delivered the mail for the past four and a half years, also gave him a rousing send off as he completed his last delivery in the village.

Before he left the business, Les confessed to being ‘completely overwhelmed’ by the gesture. ‘It was really brilliant,’ he told the Wiltshire Times. ‘I had a lot of people out clapping and applauding me. I really could not have wished for a better send-off.’

Customers in the Semington paid tribute to Les, turning out at 11.15am to give him a standing ovation.

‘The customers in Semington are lovely,’ said Les. ‘It’s a great village. I was given lots of cards, letters and posters, as well as boxes of chocolates and about 14 bottles of different drinks.’

Villagers also took to social media to leave messages, with customers Jimmy and Sally saying: ‘Les has done a fantastic job in all weathers and still at breakneck speed in his shorts all year. Thanks Les, enjoy a well-earned retirement.’

John and Sandra Phillips, of St George’s Court, said: ‘We just would like to thank “Postman Les,” he has been really nice and so supportive to us over the past four years.

‘He has delivered our post to us here at our door in Semington, coming up four flights of stairs to our top floor apartment, always smiling and chatty in all weathers too and even before and after his knee operation.

‘He will be very much missed by us both and all the residents here and on his ‘rounds’ we are sure. We want to wish him all our very best wishes for the future and hope he enjoys a long, healthy and happy retirement.’

Paul Barnett added: ‘Not only was Les a great postman, efficient and super-quick. He was altogether a really friendly and likeable man. Put those quick feet up Les and enjoy your retirement.’

Les said he now plans to spend more time with his wife, Elaine, and their three children, Claire, Darren, and Leanne. He will also have more time to walk his nine-year-old Yorkshire Terrier, Holly, and pursue his hobbies and interests, which include skittles, walking, football, and DIY chores around the house.

Delivery office manager, Joe Newman, who was Lez’s manager for eight years, said: ‘Lez was always a pleasant hard worker who kept morale in the office going over time. He has left us with some great memories and will be missed by colleagues and managers alike.’