Surprise party for retiring postman

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.northern-times.co.uk/News/Su ... 032012.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A NORTH Sutherland postman’s sterling service to his community over nearly half-a-century has been marked with a lively party.
John Mackay, Newlands, Bettyhill, who is known locally as “John the Post,” has just retired after delivering mail to households on the Bettyhill to Kinbrace run for the last 46 years.

During his long career, he is estimated to have pushed around 1 million items through letter boxes, travelled over 750,000 miles in service of the Crown and made 100,000 trips up and down a stretch of road known as Paddy’s Brae.

Conscientious and helpful, Mr Mackay went beyond the call of duty on countless occasions, doing many a good turn for the folk on his round.
His service was recognised in the 2010 New Year’s Honours list when the Queen awarded him an MBE which he picked up in person at Buckingham Palace.

Friends, neighbours and members of the community gave him a send-off worthy of a champion at the knees-up in Bettyhill Public Hall.

Those present had difficulty keeping quiet as John, who had no idea that the event was being organised, was lured to the hall. His appearance unleashed a cacophony of cheers and applause.

Several local people took to the floor to give personal tributes to John before the merrymaking started in earnest.

Angus (Crofter) Mackay of Crask, whose father, the late J K Mackay, shared 29 years with John on the run, made a witty and affectionate speech.

It was Angus who calculated the number of miles travelled and letters delivered by John. He cheekily added to that list the number of mistresses John had had in Kinbrace, Strathnaver and Altnaharra – but then hastened to reassure the company that he meant postmistresses!

Three of the village’s senior citizens, Agnes Mackay, Newlands, Mabel Mackay, Torrisdale and Jem Mackay of Strathnaver, took it in turn to make a variety of presentations.

An ode from Irene Ross was read by Mr Mackay’s cousin and neighbour, Tommy (Big T) Mackay.

It was at this point in proceedings that Mr Mackay was showered with presents, receiving a flat screen tv with stand; whisky glasses; a small cask of whisky – as well as an ornamental post box.

He was also invited to make a last postal collection using a gigantic key and was overwhelmed to discover an envelope inside the box containing £675, left over from well over £2000 collected locally for his presents and party.

There followed a sumptuous buffet with donations of venison and salmon from Syre and Skelpick Estates. The evening continued with dancing far into the night with music from Donnie and Katy MacDougal, Laid.

[DGP1]

F*** him, give him a pound................the breakfast was my idea

[fishtank]

Did you notice everyone in the story is a Mackay?
It's a Sutherland thing.
Everybody up there is a Mackay.

[clashcityrocker]

John "The Post" - hardly original is it?

The evening continued with dancing far into the night with music from Donnie and Katy MacDougal, Laid.

What exactly is the meaning of "Laid" at the end of the final sentence?

[fishtank]

What exactly is the meaning of "Laid" at the end of the final sentence?

Perhaps that was the surprise.

[DGP1]

What exactly is the meaning of "Laid" at the end of the final sentence?

Perhaps that was the surprise.

I've already done that punchline

[POSTMAN]

Beats a Matalan car park I suppose.

[blue1873]

Did you notice everyone in the story is a Mackay?
It's a Sutherland thing.
Everybody up there is a Mackay.

Maybe due to the remoteness of the place
they just like to keep it in the family
Wonder if any of them is The Real Mackay

[TeeferTiger]

John "The Post" - hardly original is it?

We know a Bryn "The Milk"

[DGP1]

John "The Post" - hardly original is it?

We know a Bryn "The Milk"

I know a Jones 'The Driver'...........of course that could be Ivor The Engine flashbacks again

[fishtank]

Gunner "Plunger" Bailey.

[Lounge Lizard]

John "The Post" - hardly original is it?

The evening continued with dancing far into the night with music from Donnie and Katy MacDougal, Laid.

What exactly is the meaning of "Laid" at the end of the final sentence?

It was probably a bit like http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyLXjPdBKEA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and 'laid' is Scottish for like when you turn the volume up.
the last 46 years.

"During the last 46 years he is estimated to have pushed around 1 million items through letter boxes, travelled over 750,000 miles in service of the Crown and made 100,000 trips up and down a stretch of road known as Paddy’s Brae." - That works out as less than a hundred letters a day so a bit of a slacker methinks, and time easily found for Paddy’s Brae, whatever that is.