At risk: Combe postwoman Anne Rouget could lose her delivery round
RESIDENTS of the village of Combe have grown so attached to their local postwoman they have begun a campaign to keep her from being reassigned.
Anne Rouget could lose her round following a change to the delivery route.
Rounds are typically allocated depending on seniority in such cases, according to a policy agreed upon by Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union.
Forty-six people have signed an online petition stressing her role in the community and urging Royal Mail Witney to keep her in Combe.
Three paper petitions have also been posted around the village at The Cock Inn, the St Laurence’s Church and Combe Primary School.
Ms Rouget said: “All I can say is that I love the village of Combe and the people who live there and I was upset to lose the round.
“What has been a surprise and a huge compliment is how much the residents of Combe love me, and I have been very humbled by all the nice things they have all said about me on the radio and in the various emails and letters they have sent to Royal Mail.”
Combe Parish Council said: “We fully support the efforts of the community in organising the petition to keep our current postwoman Anne Rouget.”
The text of the online petition reads: “While Anne is extremely efficient at her job this isn’t just a job for her. Over the past nine years she has enjoyed genuinely getting to know this community.
“Anne looks out for residents in Combe, especially the elderly and housebound. She gets to us in all weathers, even slippery descents down Swan Hill in the winter.
“Anne is on first name terms with all the dogs in Combe and gets accepting nods from the cats, whilst cheerfully receiving artwork from the children and even posing for photographs. Anne is part of village life and on her days off she supports our fetes and fundraising events.”
Royal Mail spokeswoman Val Bodden said: “We need to continually review our operation in the light of falling mail volumes and a change in what we deliver – fewer letters and more parcels. “As such, some customers may notice that a different postman or woman will deliver their mail. However, we can assure customers that all our staff are trained to the same high standards and quality of service will be maintained.”
The petition goes to Royal Mail in a couple of weeks.
Anne.
our staff are trained to the same high standards and quality of service will be maintained.”