Residents in Meonstoke salute Peter Gates ahead of his horse-drawn carriage tour of the village
IT was a red letter day for much-loved postman Peter Gates as dozens of villagers saluted him on his final round.
The 65-year-old from Bishop’s Waltham has spent around a quarter of a century delivering the mail in nearby Corhampton and Meonstoke.
Before that he was a milkman in the area and has won over many people with his friendly, helpful and polite manner.
To prove how much affection the villagers have for him, they took up a retirement collection of £1,360.
No fewer than 40 of them also turned up to wish him farewell at a surprise ceremony on Thursday, May 6.
It was held outside Meonstoke’s post office and village stores, which are run by Sue and Charlie Fullegar.
Said Mrs Fullegar: “He always carried out his job above and beyond the call of duty and he was really kind and helpful to people.
“He was very quiet and unassuming but a real gentleman that would do anything for anybody.”
Linda Foot organised the event, with James Morrice and Cllr Caroline Thynne of Winchester City Council making the presentations.
Terry Jewer from Meonstoke, who owns a carriage pulled by a horse, George, then took Mr Gates on a farewell tour of the village.
