A replica historic Royal Mail coach will parade through Cardiff on Saturday to mark 500 years of the postal services in the UK. Royal Mail workers, friends and family, will walk the five miles from Cardiff Mail centre in Penarth Road to Cardiff Bay and the public will be able to view the coach, led by four horses with driver, horn blower and grooms, dressed in traditional Royal Mail costume.
The procession leaves from Cardiff Mail centre at 9.30am making its way through the city centre, with Royal Mail staff wearing the historic postman’s uniform of bygone days, and will arrive at Cardiff Bay , via a route taking in Cardiff Castle and the Principality Stadium, at 11.30am.
The replica historic Royal Mail coach will go on to other cities across Britain
The iconic Royal Mail coach will be paraded in four locations across the UK this month, starting in Cardiff and then going on to Edinburgh and Belfast before the tour ends in London on June 18. All proceeds from the event will be donated to Royal Mail’s chosen charity, the Stroke Association .
Caroline Rich, Cardiff Mail centre manager, said: “We are proud to be celebrating our historic 500 years with a special procession in our capital city, demonstrating the pride we have in being part of this national network that connects consumers, companies and communities across the UK today.People who turn out to enjoy our parade will be treated to a great historic spectacle.”
Royal Mail staff will dress up in historic costume for the occasion
Moya Greene, chief executive of Royal Mail, said: “We are proud to celebrate the heritage of this great company. The history of the postal service in the UK reflects the tremendous societal and political change that has taken us from sixteenth century Tudor England to the United Kingdom today.
“In all its guises, Royal Mail has been responsible for a number of world firsts – the Penny Black stamp and the first ever airmail flight, to name just two.
“Royal Mail’s people have been a constant presence. They are the heart of this company. I hope that, through them, we will continue to deliver the Universal Service and play an instrumental role in people’s lives for many years to come."
Royal Mail coaches had to be on time
The Royal Mail coach route through Cardiff: 9.30am Parade leaves Cardiff Mail Centre, Penarth Road before heading down, Sloper Road, Virgil Street, Cornwall Street, Clare Road, Clare Street, Lower Cathedral Road, Castle Street, St. Mary Street, Callaghan Square, Lloyd George Avenue, Bute Place, Roald Dahl Plaza arriving at the Pierhead building at 11.30am.