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EVERYBODY knows his bright red van, all his friends will smile as he waves to greet them.
But Postman Barney will soon no longer be knocking on doors in the pretty village of Curdworth in Sutton Coldfield – because Royal Mail are booting him off the route he has served for seven years.
The decision has upset Barney’s loyal customers who have now launched a campaign to save him.
Mum-of-two Caroline Howell, aged 35, said: “He’s just a brilliant postman. He always goes the extra mile.
“If he rings the door with a parcel and you’re not there, he’s the kind of postman who will think, ‘I know, she’ll be at the mum and toddler group at the church’ and will deliver the parcel there.
“He always checks on the elderly residents. He’s a fantastic bloke.”
A Facebook group ‘Save Barney, our Curdworth Postman’ has already attracted nearly 150 members who have posted up stories remembering Barney’s good deeds.
Children have also shown their support by designing posters to put up around the village.
Barney – whose real name is David Balmforth – said he had been humbled by the reaction of his customers.
The 47-year-old father-of-two, who is being moved to another Sutton Coldfield route, said: “I’m very sad to leave as I’ve built up a really good rapport with the people in the village.
“I was amazed when I heard they’d started a campaign to keep me. It’s quite funny, but I’m humbled by it too.
“I’d love to stay if I could, but I don’t think I’ll be able to,” added Barney, who lives in Walsall with his wife Helen.
Supporters believe he is being moved from the route to allow a more senior Royal Mail employee to take on the pleasant round.
Royal Mail spokeswoman Marie Gray said it was “gratifying” to hear that Barney’s hard work had been recognised. She added: “The operational changes we are making are based on a national agreement between Royal Mail and our union and were endorsed by postmen through a national ballot.”
He always goes the extra mile 