Snail mail: Christmas card takes 35 days ... to go ONE mile

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchesterevening ... o_one_mile" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A pensioner was stunned after a Christmas card took a staggering 35 days to travel just one mile.

Ron Heywood, 80, posted the card to lifelong friends Gordon and Joan Shepherd at the Maple Road post office in Bramhall, Stockport, on December 16.

But the card, posted with a second class stamp, didn’t get to Cheadle Hulme until January 20.

And because his pals had not heard from him over the festive period they feared the worst – and thought he might have died.

Ron, of Penhale Mews, Bramhall, said: "It would have been quicker to walk it round there myself.

"When you get to my age, we don’t often see one another. If you don’t get a Christmas card then you might fear the worst.

"But I’m still going strong."

The three have been best friends since meeting when they went to the same church in Longsight as teenagers.

Ron was best man for Gordon and Joan Shepherd 52 years ago.

When no Christmas card arrived, Gordon and Joan said they were afraid to call Ron in case something had happened.

Joan said: "As we’re all getting older if you don’t hear anything then you wonder what’s happened to them.

"I called Ron when we got the card. We were so relieved to find out that he was alive."

Joan sent several packages in December, including to her sister in Cornwall.

She said: "It arrived the next day. It’s staggering that packages can travel the length of the country in a day and take five weeks to come a mile."

Cheadle MP Mark Hunter has called for an investigation by Royal Mail into late deliveries of letters and parcels in Stockport.

He says he has been contacted by a number of constituents who have complained of Christmas post STILL not delivered.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: "We apologise to any customers whose mail has been delayed. Mail deliveries in almost every district across the north west are now operating normally."

[Broxi51]

When no Christmas card arrived, Gordon and Joan said they were afraid to call Ron in case something had happened.

Joan said: "As we’re all getting older if you don’t hear anything then you wonder what’s happened to them.

"I called Ron when we got the card. We were so relieved to find out that he was alive."

Not really much of a friend if you are too afraid to phone to find out if he's alright

[Eric Cantona]

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchesterevening ... o_one_mile" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchesterevening ... o_one_mile

Merged with thread - I beat you to it - but only just.

[Eric Cantona]

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchesterevening ... o_one_mile

Merged with thread - I beat you to it - but only just.

Lol. I put it on the wrong board again as usual..