Blaenau Ffestiniog postman retires after 46 years

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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A POSTMAN who has pounded the streets of Blaenau Ffestiniog for 46 years has finally hung up his delivery bag.

Peter Llewellyn Williams, of Mount Pleasant Tabernacl, will be known to many for his five decades of service to the Royal Mail as a postman on foot, and in delivery vans.

Father-of-two Peter, 65, has one of the longest service records in Gwynedd. He started his working life off at the late Johnny Morgan’s butchers delivering meat to customers, before taking a job at his local sorting office at the age of 19.

In Peter’s early years as a postman the vast majority of Blaenau Ffestiniog’s mail would all be delivered by foot, meaning he would have to start his round at 6am rain or shine.

Speaking to the Herald this week, he said: “It was particularly nasty getting up that early but you get used to it eventually.

“I’d be on a different round each week, which means that I got to know the streets of Blaenau and the surrounding villages like the back of my hand. You’d have to finish the round by a set time every day.

“Things were different back in the 1960s when I started out – you tended to know everyone in every house you delivered to.”

By the late 1960s Peter had moved on to a delivery van, which meant he would deliver mail as far as Trawsfynydd, Llan Ffestiniog, and Maentwrog, plus many surrounding farms, and spent the last 20 years covering a round in Gellilydan. He added: “I have fond memories of the job and my colleagues, and every day was different. It was especially interesting delivering to the many farms up in the mountains, especially if the weather was bad!”

When asked about any interesting deliveries he made and the people he met, he said: “There are many, but I can’t say anything. As a postman you have to sign the official secrets act, so while there are a lot of interesting stories from the past 46 years, most can’t be repeated.

“I met with and worked with a lot of interesting people, but I wont miss the early starts!”

A presentation ceremony took place last week at Blaenau Ffestiniog’s sorting office where he was thanked for his loyal service and was presented with gifts by his colleagues.

On his retirement, keen angler Peter hopes to take up the sport again. He added: “I’ve got all the gear at home so I’m thinking of taking fishing up again, and I’m just going to try an relax for a few months – and maybe take a holiday. Thanks to everyone for their best wishes.”

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A presentation ceremony took place last week at Blaenau Ffestiniog’s sorting office where he was thanked for his loyal service and was presented with gifts by his colleagues.

Anything from the managers?

A postman at our office had about 44 years sevice in and not one manager said thank you or goodbye or kiss my **** on the day he finished, it was left to his work mates to organize a leaving presentation and a gift...
And can I say well done for 46 years of great service to the people of Blaenau Ffestiniog ,but I think that length of sevice will be a thing off the past.

[Darren Bent]

I can't see a teenager joining royal mail today and work there until he is 65. So 46 years is amazing as it is longer than my life.