Free delivery of Herald stopped for widow, 94

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/di ... dow_94.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

For more than 50 years, Hannah Stirling has enjoyed a copy of The Herald delivered to her door by her friendly postman - until bureaucrats tried to put a stop to it.

The 94-year-old widow has now been denied her daily read after Royal Mail threatened to sack her postman if he continued to deliver the paper free of charge to her home in Tarbet on the banks of Loch Lomond.

Mrs Stirling, who was made an MBE for her services to the Friends of Loch Lomond, said: "I'm not the only one who relied on the kindness of the postmen - there are plenty of elderly people in this area, many of whom live in relative isolation, who can't get out, don't have access to a car or have regular visitors to get the paper for them.

"It's a sure sign that something is wrong when they start punishing acts of kindness."

Wendy Ross, who has worked in the Tarbet Post Office for three years, said: "The postmen just came in and told me they weren't allowed to deliver the newspapers any more and that if they did they could be sacked."

A Royal Mail spokesperson said that they had to stop the service because they charged for an alternative service.

"It would be impossible for Royal Mail to knowingly provide a free newspaper delivery to one customer while continuing to charge our other customers for the service."

[stokes11eg]

This company beggars belief----I can't believe the posties involved carried more than a couple of papers to
eldery folks-since when being community spirited warrent the sack?

[Lounge Lizard]

Yes, Royal Mail obviously don't realise the scale of good will that reflects well on the company when we do the occasional favour for our more remote customers such as taking letters to post for them or delivering them further on in the round.

[stokes11eg]

Sad thing is. if he had been doing it in his own time, and R/M heard of it ,they would be going to press to say
isn't this great, a kind hearted postie!!!

[beanmuncha]

If RM pushed this to all offices at least 3 of our boys would be sacked as we deliver at least 7 papers a week to various people and they really appreciate it, they have no means to get the papers themselves and it's good PR for RM if they thought about it. (sorry silly me RM can't think)

[johnsouthwales]

can't see the harm in it really..if the postie is already around the area, why not be humane?.. can see rm view up to a point of 'if it can be done for one, it can be done for all'.. rm could be accused of being tight arced so and so's lol... where do you draw a line of being nice and business astute??

reminds me of the olden days.. all sorts used to be sent down on a train as a favour in certain circumstances.. sounds like rm got a cob on cos theyr'e losing a few pence tut

[TrueBlueTerrier]

No threat of sacking

http://www.theherald.co.uk/features/let ... acking.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I wish to correct an inaccuracy in your story headlined "Free delivery of Herald stopped for widow, 94" (The Herald, April 10).

It is reported that "Royal Mail threatened to sack" a postman if he continued to deliver newspapers for free. This is untrue. No Royal Mail postman has been threatened with the sack over this issue.

It is disappointing that no effort was made to check this allegation before it was reported as fact.

Ian Smith, Head of external relations, Royal Mail Group, Tallents House, 21 South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh.

[DGP1]

No threat of sacking

http://www.theherald.co.uk/features/let ... acking.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I wish to correct an inaccuracy in your story headlined "Free delivery of Herald stopped for widow, 94" (The Herald, April 10).

It is reported that "Royal Mail threatened to sack" a postman if he continued to deliver newspapers for free. This is untrue. No Royal Mail postman has been threatened with the sack over this issue.

It is disappointing that no effort was made to check this allegation before it was reported as fact.

Ian Smith, Head of external relations, Royal Mail Group, Tallents House, 21 South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh.

Would anybody be surprised if I used this

[stokes11eg]

Surprise-Surprise-R/M backtracking again-wonder how we don't believe them.

[Lounge Lizard]

No threat of sacking

http://www.theherald.co.uk/features/let ... acking.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I wish to correct an inaccuracy in your story headlined "Free delivery of Herald stopped for widow, 94" (The Herald, April 10).

It is reported that "Royal Mail threatened to sack" a postman if he continued to deliver newspapers for free. This is untrue. No Royal Mail postman has been threatened with the sack over this issue.

It is disappointing that no effort was made to check this allegation before it was reported as fact.

Ian Smith, Head of external relations, Royal Mail Group, Tallents House, 21 South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh.

Is that the Ian Smith who used to be Prime Minister of Rhodesia ?

[BELIAL]

If the shites dont pay for the service, they ain't getting it ,you lot commies or what?

[Lounge Lizard]

If the shites dont pay for the service, they ain't getting it ,you lot commies or what?

Yes, brother

[BELIAL]

AArgh the sick old fucka is 94 she might be loaded ,but her purchasing power is zero ,she is out of the loop, a has been,dead meat as far as modern consumer society is concerned. Hows your granny and which side are you on?