Retiring postman given special send-off by residents

A POSTMAN in Henley received a royal send-off on his final round before retirement after almost 23 years service, writes Izzie Addison.

Adrian Chaplin, 64, from Caversham, completed his last day at work on Friday last week.

Some of the residents in Ancastle Green gathered to present him with a signed card and £220 cash.

Claire Finch, who suggested the gesture, said: “Adrian has been our postman the whole time we’ve been here.

“Always ready with a smile, always cheery, always wants to know how you are. He just cares. He has been through quite a few of our ups and downs as a family, like the birth of our children.

“Everybody feels the same way. He just seems to elicit this warmth from people.”

Previously, some residents in the road banded together to ask Royal Mail to keep Mr Chaplin as their postman when rounds were being redistributed.

Tim Janisch, who also lives in Ancastle Green, said: “When Adrian gives you a parcel, he hands it over like he’s giving you a gift. He always asks you how you are. He knows each of us and puts that effort in. It’s very easy to just consume services these days. This is a human being who’s part of our community. We just wanted to tell him we appreciate him.”

Kit Ruparel, who lives in Marlow Road, said: “I grew up in a small village where my mum was the subpostmistress. Times have changed but Adrian makes me reminisce about the days when the Post Office was at the heart of the community.

“Delivery drivers from other companies often misdeliver to our house and, if he sees a parcel there for somebody else, he’ll take it with him to deliver as part of his rounds. If we’re out, he takes great pains to hide any parcels we have.”

Mr Chaplin said: “It was a real surprise. I was speechless, really chuffed. I just wasn’t expecting it. It just shows there are some lovely people around.

“The Royal Mail has changed dramatically over the years. I have always tried to hold up that value of providing a service.

“Overall, I’ve really enjoyed my time and had a good relationship with most of my customers. I was just overwhelmed by their kindness.”