A fond farewell to Postman Charlie!

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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A POSTMAN who has been delivering mail in Cushnie for 21 years has retired.

Residents held a surprise presentation and tea party for Charlie Walters last Saturday in Cushnie Hall.

Charlie had been accompanying his son, young Charlie, who was driving his oil tanker from Alford to The Smiddy at Cushnie. He was following behind and was surprised when the tanker stopped at Cushnie Hall where many cars were parked.

It all became clear when Stuart Robertson from The Smiddy came to escort him into the packed hall where he received a huge ovation from all his friends on his Cushnie postal round.

Sue Greensmith welcomed Charlie and his family on behalf of all who had contributed to the collection to mark his retirement after 21 years as postie. Mary Anderson then read her Doric poem, which had been composed especially to mark the occasion. This gave him a moment to catch his breath after the initial surprise! The poem was well received with more applause.

Sue then gave him a jar of her 2003 chutney to remind him of her lack of success with tomatoes, despite his best advice - he had finally ended up giving her his wife's recipe for green tomato chutney!

He also received a framed photograph compiling Cushnie letterboxes, dogs, roadsigns and birdhouses, taken and arranged by Dick Birnie, to remind him of his Cushnie round - not always the easiest of routes.
Stuart Robertson then presented him with a cheque and a card signed by everyone who had generously contributed. Despite being rendered almost speechless, Charlie managed to give a big thank you to all who had contributed.

The afternoon was rounded off with tea and coffee, and the most amazing spread of delicious homebakes.

[Dogs of War]

Good luck Charlie your getting out when Royal Mail are sinking like the Titantic.