Postwoman retires - from the Evesham Journal archives,

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Postwoman retires - from the Evesham Journal archives, February 19, 1965

http://www.eveshamjournal.co.uk/news/11 ... _19__1965/

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February 19, 1965

WHEN postwoman Miss Gertrude Hadley laid down her postbag for the last time in August 1964 she had walked 70,000 miles in and around the village of Wyre Piddle, near Pershore.

Miss Hadley, aged 79, had no intention of retiring despite her great age. However, she damaged her arm when she slipped and fell from some steps, and was forced to hand over her job to a younger man.

As a mark of appreciation for her work in the village, Miss Hadley was presented with a cheque by postmaster Mr John Bury at the Parish Hall.

Miss Hadley held the job for 21 years and for the last 10 years of that time she managed the round of about 100 houses, shops and farms entirely on her own.

Rising at 5am, she started at 7am and had completed her rounds by about 10am.

In all, grey haired, sprightly Miss Hadley covered about ten miles everyday.

"I would have liked to have carried on, but my feet and legs get swollen very easily now," she said. "I was very disappointed to have to give it up."

Born in Crowle, Miss Hadley had lived alone in Wyre for 27 years and had no other relatives apart from a sister in Coventry.

She was a familiar sight to all the villagers and during the war years her visits were eagerly awaited by villages with relatives in the forces.

Until three years previous to the story in the Journal 50 years ago she used to deliver on Christmas Day, but admits she usually needed some help with the increased amount of mail.

Regularly she travelled to Weston-super-Mare for her one week's annual holiday.

"I used to welcome the chance to get out and meet people, but I can't get about so much now," she said.

During her 21 years she had been bitten by dogs many times and once by a bad-tempered goose, which took a dislike to her.

"It was quite a painful experience," she reminisced.

Customers at the village's tiny general stores and post office contributed towards the cheque, which Miss Hadley intends to put towards er holiday this year.