A popular postwoman’s transfer after more than 14 years in the Wansford near Peterborough has spurred its residents into action.
They have put up ‘help save Martha Powell’ posters and 400 people have signed a petition in the fight to ensure their postie stays put.
Martha, who has just 22 months to work before she is due to retire, will be moved to Wittering and a new postman installed in Wansford.
Royal Mail said the company needs to “continually review its operations” because of falling mail.
They say whoever delivers the mail in Wansford will be “trained to the same high standards” as Martha and will “maintain the quality of service”.
But residents argue that moving Martha when she has less than two years left to retire is “ridiculous”.
“It will take her that long to learn her rounds,” said Morva Bass, who started the petition because of the “sheer injustice of it”.
Mrs Bass said: “It just seems beyond all common sense that they would move her when she has just one year and 10 months left to retire.
“It would take her that long to learn her rounds. Martha lives in the village and knows everybody.”
Mrs Bass added: “She was so helpful. It seems monstrous to move her to Wittering at this stage.”
Alisia O’sullivan, whose two children Jodie (11) and Rebecca (10) have been making the display posters said: “She has been our post lady for more than a decade.
“Everybody knows her and she’s really part of the community: actually living in the village too.
“My children have known her all their life and love her.”
Mrs O’Sullivan said people in Wansford feel “very strongly” about the unfair way they feel Martha was being treated.
“Martha is too shy to speak up for herself, so we are doing it,” she said.
Mary Marleau said: “I understand companies have their rules but there are times when common sense should be used.”
She added: “We are a tight community and Martha is from a village family.”
She said: “We know her so well and we want her to continue in Wansford.”
Satish Odedra, who runs Wansford Post Office with his wife Heena, has known Martha since he took over the branch more than 14 years ago.
He said: “Moving her from here with less than two years left to retire is ridiculous.
“She does a fantastic job and is great with customers.
“It’s the little things that she does, like not leaving post for customers who are away and waiting until they return, that makes her different.”
Royal Mail spokeswoman Morag Turnbull said: “We are pleased that our customers in Wansford have had such excellent service from one of our postwomen.
“It is always gratifying when our customers recognise the hard work of their postman or woman.”
She said as part of their review some customers may notice that a different postman or woman will deliver their mail.
“However, we can assure them that all our staff are trained to the same high standards and quality of service will be maintained,” Ms Turnbull added.
Martha will also have to abandon the distinctive bike she uses to deliver mail and get behind the wheel of a van.
Ms Turnbull said: “Royal Mail is making a number of changes to delivery methods as part of a £2 billion modernisation.
“This is part of one of the biggest transformations undertaken in UK industry and enables us to respond to changes within the postal market.
“As we deliver fewer letters but more parcels than we did in the past, we have been progressively replacing bicycles and mailbags with trolleys and vans.
“It enables our staff and deliver mail more securely and safely.”
Residents have written to their MP Shailesh Vara asking him to lobby Royal Mail.
They are also enlisting the help of Peterborough city councillor for Glinton and Wittering Cllr Diane Lamb.
In addition, the campaigners s have also vowed to continue their fight until Royal Mail changes its mind and allows Martha Powell to stay in Wansford.
Martha. 
and then properly deserve your breakfast. 
meal and to the cinema and still had change!
