EPPING: Popular postie parks her delivery bike

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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A DEDICATED post lady will say farewell to her workmates, customers and their dogs when she delivers her last round after 22 years on the job this week.

Pat Aley, 59, of Sunnyside, Epping, who will retire on Saturday (December 31), a few days before her 60th birthday, earned the nickname Postman Pat as she did her rounds all over the town.

But unlike her children’s TV counterpart, she is fond of dogs, not cats, despite having been bitten twice, and always takes a bag of treats on her rounds.

“I’ve always taken doggy biscuits, because I like dogs, but I’ve not got one as I’m out at work all day,” she said.

“I did ask my husband if we could have a dog now I’m retired and there was a resounding no, but maybe I can bring him round.”

She said she had been happiest while out on her rounds talking to the people she delivers to.

“You get to know people and watch their children grow up over the years,” she said. “The other day, I met a lovely lady, someone I used to deliver to, after years of not seeing her.”

Her current round, which she does on her bicycle, includes Lindsey Street and Homefield Close, which she starts work on at 6am.

“I used to deliver twice a day, starting at 4.30am,” she said. “You never get used to getting up at 3.30am, but starting at six is not too bad.”

Fellow Epping postie Mick Day said: “She’ll be missed by her friends in the office and she’ll be really missed by her customers.

“Before last Christmas, there was a particular Saturday when the snow came down like God knows what at about noon and I went out to find her, because I couldn’t get any further with my round.

“I went out and found her, but she said ‘no, we’ve got to get it done’.

“That just shows the sort of person she is with her customers.”

Mrs Aley said she was looking forward to spending more time with her four grandchildren, who live in Chigwell, as well as finishing hundreds of craft projects she has at home.

[DGP1]

But unlike her children’s TV counterpart, she is fond of dogs, not cats

Is it Stormproof

[Stormproof]

But unlike her children’s TV counterpart, she is fond of dogs, not cats

Is it Stormproof

No its not me, though I feel like I'm 60! Surprised you remembered the cat attack

[Pat Ostman]

“I’ve always taken doggy biscuits, because I like dogs, but I’ve not got one as I’m out at work all day,” she said.