Colne's Royal Mail Sorting Office of 50 years ago

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Colne's Royal Mail Sorting Office of 50 years ago http://www.pendletoday.co.uk/columnists ... 6237174.jp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

T'S back in time over a half-a-century in our column this week with a rare look inside the sadly lost Royal Mail Sorting Office in Albert Road, Colne.

Captured by elite cameraman Fred Whitaker, the evocative scene is captioned: "Colne Postmen awaiting the Mail, 5 a.m. April 1959". The early morning photo from 51 years ago has, in view, some of Colne's best-known postmen during the sorting office's working days from its opening on September 8th, 1928 to its closure (due to fools in high places) on February 12th, 2000.

From left to right are dedicated mailmen, all long serving and familiar faces during the post-war years and far beyond in their home town.
First up is Harry Watson, known to all his colleagues as "Shufti" from his army service in India. Harry was a great teller of tales of his days spent in Asia, with exciting encounters in the dense jungle always of great interest.

Next along is "Little Johnny" Strickland, as strong as an ox and who could lift huge, full mailbags high above his head. Today, the Royal Mail family link is carried on, for "Little Johnny's" grandson, Paul, is the well-known, friendly postman-driver delivering mail to the farms and cottages in rural Trawden.

Now we see the dark coat of Inspector Norman Mitchell. Norman was a great character who ran the daily delivery operations with good humour and a smile.

Next along at the front is the legendary Bert Long, who has the reputation as being the local fastest postman of all time. My late, good friend, Foulridge postman of great repute, "King Arthur" Hargreaves, told me that, in summer 1955, Bert delivered his "Newtown" first delivery of 675 drops in just an hour and five minutes - a mighty achievement.

Just behind Bert, hidden from view, is Tommy McDermott, whose great friends in the sorting office were Frank Stock, Bob Lord, Stanley Hartley and Joe Kibble, all long-serving indoor postmen of high calibre.

Now third from the right is Ken Speak - Ken had an amazing knowledge of Colne and all the villages and his superb speed and accuracy when sorting the mail ensured his proud title: "The fastest sorter of them all".

Next we see Bob Gregson, a former Desert Rat during the Second World War in North Africa, Bob had a truly vast aptitude for identifying all flora and fauna on his rural delivery rounds - our very own office David Attenborough!

Now on the right is Harold "Dai" Evans. Harold, a dear friend of mine, taught me over 30 years ago the way to be a postman of trust and respect. Harold certainly achieved that during his long career while delivering the mail to the good folk of Bunkers Hill and Knotts Lane and indeed, Christmas, 1980, saw a smiling Harold receive over 60 Christmas cards and a record amount of tips from his many happy customers.

All the Royal Mail workers seen here and many more over the Colne Albert Road Sorting Office's 72 years were of great substance. Although the once proud office has gone, their dedication and sterling service over those years will never be forgotten in the town of bonnie Colne.