Postman braves blizzards to deliver Queen's message to 100-y

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Postman braves blizzards to deliver Queen's message to 100-year-old

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A postman braved a severe blizzard and warnings to stay at home to deliver a message from the Queen congratulating a nursing home resident on reaching her 100th birthday.



By Richard Savill
Last Updated: 3:09PM GMT 12 Feb 2009

Treacherous roads and snowbound homes caused the suspension of many delivery rounds last week, particularly in rural areas.

But John Harris, 63, drove through blizzards to deliver the Queen's message to Francese Knowles at the Castle Grove nursing home, Bampton, Devon, seven miles from the Royal Mail delivery office in Tiverton.

Mrs Knowles said she was "thrilled" as were two generations of her family who had travelled from Australia to be at her birthday party on Sunday.

"We were not allowed out for a good part of the week," said Mr Harris, a postman for 18 years. "Even the townspeople could not get around. The pavements were deadly.

"I am not being heroic. Some of the roads were quite dodgy but I was just doing my job."

Neville Crocker, postal supervisor at Tiverton delivery office, said Mrs Knowles, a former secretary, was not on Mr Harris's normal round.

But when the Queen's card in a blue envelope was spotted, everything possible was done to deliver it.

"It was just a matter of thinking it was coming from the Queen," he said.

Mrs Knowles said: "It was splendid. Mr Harris did very well. It is a beautiful card, with a lovely picture of the Queen and a message. It is an honour."

The care home owner Isabelle Kenny said of Mr Harris's efforts: "This is an example of personal service, and was above and beyond the call of duty. He could have chosen not to do anything about it."