Morris dancing postman from Bushey recognised for community

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A morris dancing postman from Bushey has won a Royal Mail award for community work.

Wayne Lang, of School Lane, has a daily round in the Elstree Road area and gives talks at nearby schools, as well as being part of a Watford morris dancing "side", their name for group.

The father-of-two has now been recognised for his hard work by being awarded a '1st Class People Award', something he will collect at a ceremony in London later this month.

Wayne, 46, said: “I feel embarrassed really. It is something I have always done and not gone out of my way for the recognition but I am very pleased and really chuffed that someone thinks I deserve it.”

The keen morris dancer has given talks about his work and traditional interest to the children at nearby Merry Hill Infant School, which Wayne's six-year-old son, Rhys, attends.

Deputy headteacher Nicola Perry said the children are “fixed on his every word” when he comes in “dressed in his postman outfit”.

“The children think he is fantastic,” she said. “He gets them up and involved and is really good with them. We have had him come in with the morris dancers before and the children loved it.

“He definitely deserves recognition for his work in the community. He has time for everyone and even came in to volunteer and help out when our caretaker retired.”

Although Wayne admits to getting a “fair bit of stick” for his morris dancing, he says it allows him to combine three of the best things of “tradition, exercise and beer”.

He said: “I loved it when I was younger and, a few years back, went along with a mate to see them in Croxley Green and thought 'why not?'. Once you get over the stigma of wearing a hat with flowers and bells it is great.”

Married to Gabriela, he has two children, 12-year-old Amy and six-year-old Rhys who he says “let him get on with it”.

His membership of the Woodside Morris Men takes him to village fayres and pubs across the country, but it is his work in Bushey that earned him recognition.

He has worked at the Bushey delivery office, in High Street, for nearly 16 years and has been in the industry for nearly 20, something he says he “just really enjoys”.

On May 24, he will be presented with the award by BBC presenter Christine Bleakely at the Haberdashers' Hall in London.

[Lounge Lizard]

"Deputy headteacher Nicola Perry said the children are “fixed on his every word” when the keen morris dancer comes in “dressed in his postman outfit”. while the residents of Bushey know he will be dressed in white and waving handkerchiefs when out on his round.