Postman Pete hangs up mail bag after 47 years

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/15613 ... _47_years/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



WIRRAL postie Peter Maffin - thought to be one of the country's longest serving postmen - has hung up his mail bag for the last time.

After almost five decades of pounding the pavements and with his 71st birthday in sight Peter has decided it was time to call it a day.

He has spent 47 years serving the public and making sure local customers get their mail come rain or shine but he is now planning a more leisurely lifestyle - and lazy lie-ins.

It was not the career he had originally envisaged as he served his time as a baker and confectioner with a Wallasey company.

However he decided to instead become a postman and started in the main Liverpool sorting office when he was 25.

He was transferred to Wirral in 1971 and he pointed out that he is "still officially on loan from Liverpool."

He has seen many changes within the Royal Mail over the years - and gone are the days when there were two mail deliveries a day and a passing postman could give someone a lift in the post van.

Peter is a popular and familiar figure in Wallasey, where he has had his rounds, but he is also well known as other strings to his bow include acting as an "extra" and playing guitar and ukulele.

“I play with the the Greasby Ukes, who are called UKE 40, and I appear in pantos and shows at the Little Theatre in Birkenhead and help with some scripts," said Peter, who lives in Wallasey with his wife, Sue.

The father-of-two has also been seen on television with walk-on parts including in Peaky Blinders, Coronation Street, Victoria, Jamaica Inn and Emmerdale.

"I really enjoy it and will keep on working as an extra, even though it involves many hours of hanging around.

"Most recently I was involved during filming in Liverpool for a film called The City in the City."

The end of his Royal Mail career comes with mixed feelings but he said: "I will miss it, we have a laugh, and forge friendships with colleagues and customers.

"Some of our customers don’t see another soul all day."

[Nigel1505]

Well done Pete. 71 years young and up to a while ago was still plodding the streets. I'm a few years(6) behind you and not believing I will make it to 71. What a remarkable career in RM.

[WOBBLY]

Top guy is Pete! Used to work in the same office as him

[Navalron]

Well done mate. Enjoy your retirement.

[Navalron]

Well done mate. Enjoy your retirement.

[NWpostie]

I intend to retire at 60 not 71, still good innings to be able to reach 71 and 47 years of service.