Drayton Park residents’ farewell to postman Dave White

Dave White is set to retire next week, having served as a postman in Drayton Park for most of his career.

Residents gathered outside their homes earlier today (Monday, March 20) to honour the postman, who they say is “always happy”.

Dave, 64, said: “All I can say is – it’s been a real pleasure.

“I’m chuffed [that everyone has come out to say goodbye]. It’s the kind of job where you get to know people.

“I’ve even delivered mail which doesn’t have an address on it, but I know who it’s for.”

Dave was presented with flowers and a wrapped gift from some of the residents in Drayton Park, including his former boss at the Post Office.

Residents of Drayton Park say their farewells to Dave White (Image: Alex Marsh)

Tola Akinde-Hummel, who has lived on the street for the past 24 years, said Dave would be dearly missed by the community.

She added: “This man is always happy, he’s always smiling.

“He really takes his job seriously – if he’s got a package that he can put through your letter box but he thinks you probably need to have it in your hands, he’ll ring your doorbell. He’s that kind of a guy.

“Everybody knows him, everybody likes him.”

Tola joked that she could always hear Dave walking up the street “because he’s always having a conversation with someone”.

Dave said: “People have said to me – we don’t set our alarms, we wait for you.”

The postman was also remembered fondly for always wearing shorts to work “come rain or shine”, even in the middle of winter.

Dave has been working from the Royal Mail Islington Delivery Office in New North Road, which was previously based in Hamilton Park.

Dave White has worked as a postman for 49 years (Image: Alex Marsh)

He said that he was now planning on spending more time with his family, as well as travelling to places he has previously never had the chance to visit.

Dave said: “I plan to go to places I’ve always wanted to go but obviously couldn’t visit because of the job. It’s basically been a six-day job, Monday to Saturday.

“It’s changed slightly now, but in the past I would get paid on the Friday, go to the pub in the evening for a drink and then have to get up early in the morning on the Saturday.”

He added: “I feel good [about leaving]. It’s the only job I’ve ever known from school so it’s time to go really.”