Kirby Misperton retiring postman Clive Atkinson

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Kirby Misperton gives retiring postman Clive Atkinson a surprise send off

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VILLAGERS turned out in force on a frosty morning last week to say a big thank you to postman Clive Atkinson who has hung up his mail sack after 28 years of deliveries in the Kirby Misperton area.

Clive had expected his last day sorting and delivering the mail in Kirby Misperton, Flamingo Lane, Little Barugh and Great Barugh, to be just another routine day before retiring.

But when he arrived at the village post office to sort out the mail, he was met with a reception committee of Royal Mail chiefs, villagers and sub-postmistress Amanda Haigh who had organised a secret collection for Clive.

Party poppers and balloons decorated the village street as Clive arrived for his daily delivery and had no idea what was in store.

“It was an amazing surprise,” he said.

Clive has only had two days off work through illness in his 28 years, delivering the mail on the eight-mile route each day, on his cycle to the villages and a chain of outlying farms.

“Clive has always gone the extra mile to help people in this area and everyone is grateful for the service and help he has given,” said Amanda, who has run the post office for 11 years, since taking over from her mother-in-law, Jean Haigh.

Clive worked on a farm for 10 years, before spending eight years in the building industry, and then becoming the local postman.

And despite often severe weather in winter, Clive has always got the mail delivered.

As well as being the postman, he is also a stalwart of village life in Kirby Misperton, playing darts at the local Ashfield Hotel, tending the garden at the roundabout at the entrance to the village, and organising the Christmas tree lights display.

“He is a real treasure in Kirby Misperton,” said Amanda.

Royal Mail is to make deliveries on a temporary arrangement from the Malton delivery office, by van, until a decision is made on how it will be delivered in the long-term.