Trowbridge's oldest current postman retires

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 21 Mar 2016, 14:08

http://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/news/14 ... n_retires/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;?

http://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/resources/images/4867914/

TROWBRIDGE’s oldest postman set off on his final round on Saturday after announcing he is retiring.

Michael Ruddle, of Hazel Grove, has been a postman for the Royal Mail in the town for the last 12 years and believes he is currently the oldest postie still doing a daily round.

The 66-year-old stumbled into the profession after being made redundant from the printing trade.

“I started my apprenticeship at the Wiltshire Times in 1966 to 1971 as a compositor and I stayed in the printing industry at Redwood Press until 2002,” he said.

“I was eventually made redundant, but saying that, it was the best thing that could have happened to me. I went on holiday and it was when I got home I found out there was no job to come home to.

“I had a couple of friends who were postmen and they said to me why I don’t become one.”

Mr Ruddle said: “I was brought up in Steeple Ashton until I was seven and then we moved into Trowbridge. The ironic thing since becoming a postman is that I have been able to go back to Steeple Ashton and work as their postman as well as for other villages for a few years now.

“Over the years you do gather fond memories of the times you are out and about but because I was born and raised in Steeple Ashton, I still see people I went to school with and I have managed to keep being friends with them which is one highlight for me.

“Most people retire but I stayed on because I enjoy what I do, but now it has got to the stage where I thought it would be the best time to give it up."

“Having a job after being made redundant was a necessity and I like the outdoors so it was perfect timing really.”

Mr Ruddle said he is going to enjoy spending time with his wife as well as decorating their new bungalow.

He added: “The last round will be a sad day. I will miss my colleagues because we do have banter and I'll miss the people you see on your round.I’ve been invited in for a cuppa before now when out in Steeple Ashton and it is things like that which make the job worth it.”

ferndale · Post by **ferndale** » 21 Mar 2016, 15:01

Postman on Glasgow G11/12 is 67 and still going .

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 21 Mar 2016, 16:16

We have a 69 year old - on a hilly duty as well

Post by **Lounge Lizard** » 21 Mar 2016, 17:22

TrueBlueTerrier wrote:http://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/news/14 ... n_retires/?

http://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/resources/images/4867914/

TROWBRIDGE’s oldest postman set off on his final round on Saturday after announcing he is retiring.

Michael Ruddle, of Hazel Grove, has been a postman for the Royal Mail in the town for the last 12 years and believes he is currently the oldest postie still doing a daily round.

The 66-year-old stumbled into the profession after being made redundant from the printing trade.

“I started my apprenticeship at the Wiltshire Times in 1966 to 1971 as a compositor and I stayed in the printing industry at Redwood Press until 2002,” he said.

“I was eventually made redundant, but saying that, it was the best thing that could have happened to me. I went on holiday and it was when I got home I found out there was no job to come home to.

“I had a couple of friends who were postmen and they said to me why I don’t become one.”

Mr Ruddle said: “I was brought up in Steeple Ashton until I was seven and then we moved into Trowbridge. The ironic thing since becoming a postman is that I have been able to go back to Steeple Ashton and work as their postman as well as for other villages for a few years now.

“Over the years you do gather fond memories of the times you are out and about but because I was born and raised in Steeple Ashton, I still see people I went to school with and I have managed to keep being friends with them which is one highlight for me.

“Most people retire but I stayed on because I enjoy what I do, but now it has got to the stage where I thought it would be the best time to give it up."

“Having a job after being made redundant was a necessity and I like the outdoors so it was perfect timing really.”

Mr Ruddle said he is going to enjoy spending time with his wife as well as decorating their new bungalow.

He added: “The last round will be a sad day. I will miss my colleagues because we do have banter and I'll miss the people you see on your round.I’ve been invited in for a cuppa before now when out in Steeple Ashton and it is things like that which make the job worth it.”

Mr Ruddle said he is going to enjoy spending time with his wife as well as decorating their new bungalow - and maybe time for a breakfast in the local Wetherspoons

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... -hand.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

UnhappyGremlin · Post by **UnhappyGremlin** » 27 Mar 2016, 14:51

TrueBlueTerrier wrote:“I had a couple of friends who were postmen and they said to me why I don’t become one.”

Bet there's not many who'd be passing this advice on now.

TrueBlueTerrier wrote:“He added: “The last round will be a sad day."

Pretty sure there aren't many of us who'll be able to say this in the future.