Emotional last round for ‘Best postman in the world evaaaa!’

Adrian Chaplin first started working for Royal mail in 2002, and retired at the end of last week after almost 23 years of dedicated service to local residents. Dubbed the “Best postman in the world evaaaa!” Adrian will be much missed by all those that were part of his round.

Having started off working for Brakespears brewery in Henley, Adrian was made redundant when the company officially closed. Looking around for new jobs, he spotted a post with Royal Mail in the Henley sorting office and applied. 5 days after being made redundant, Adrian was back at work in a job that it turned out he loved and would stay in until his recent retirement. “Straight away it was perfect for me. When the kids were young I’d start work early but I’d be done by lunchtime so I could get home to swap over with childcare. I also liked the variety. Each day brings something new on a post round.”

“The first couple of years I was a spare, going where I was needed. Then I got given a round – and that round I did for the whole of my career. I’d start on the Marlow Road, including Phyllis Court Club, then on to Swiss Farm. After that it was all the way to Mill End and Hambleden lock. Then I’d come back into Henley and do Ancastle Green, Park Side, Greys Road and Greys Hill before finishing at The Close – all in all about 5.5 to 6 hours out and about. Some years ago there was going to be a reassign and I was due to swap rounds, but my customers weren’t happy. One in particular – Betty Tarry started a petition…and it worked! I got my round back.”

“When I joined all those years ago, it was still a postal service and providing a service was number 1 but when Royal Mail was privatised, it all became a bit more profit focused – I never stopped delivering a service to my customers though. Don’t tell my bosses but I’ve chopped veg, opened tins and removed dead rats from water butts! I’ve gotten to know everyone and built friendships and trust. That’s the thing I will most miss…but not the 3am starts!”

Tamsin Borlase, from Bosley Patch is one of Adrian’s fans and said “People up and down his route are devastated but also recognise that after all those years of being ‘the best postman in the world evaaaaaaa’ – as my two children dubbed him years ago – he deserves to have a wonderful travel filled retirement! Adrian was always smiling, asking how people were, wishing us happy birthday – he even did his round backwards more than once to make sure I got something important. He always had a kind word for the dogs and was a ‘constant’ in a world where very few things are! I know I’m not alone, in the way I feel as I’ve heard so many stories from other people about just how special he has been to them, just by being kind and warm and there every day.

I imagine there are many elderly folk on the park home site here who will sorely miss that regular contact and friendly face. I can only hope that the post office will allocate the round to someone regular who will take the time to understand the foibles of Swiss farm, who is who, and help deal with the endless misdirected/poorly addressed mail with as much good grace and humour! He really is a superstar. It just won’t be the same without him.”

Another route regular was Bill Pollard (Ancastle Green): “Adrian is definitely the friendliest postman I’ve ever had and a real community asset. He knew everyone on the Green and was always ready for a friendly chat. He was always happy to correct any mistakes when post had been addressed wrongly. He would ask how our daughters were, as he knew them from when they were born. ‘Aideran’ was one of our first daughter’s first words! They loved it when he came to the door and will miss him too.”

Back in 2012, Adrian had his 5 minutes of fame. On the day the Olympic torch came through the town, his van had broken down so he started his route with a big red trolly. Attempting to make his way from the sorting office and along Bell Street towards the Marlow Road, he found that the pavements were blocked by crowds waiting for the torch…so he had no alternative but to walk down the middle of the closed road. Half way along, someone recognised him and called out “It’s Adrian the postman!” to which the excited crowd all joined in. As he progressed down the route to cheers of his name, he was also accompanied by a Mexican wave – “It was a very surreal moment – but certainly one I will never forget!”

Adrian’s last round was emotional and hit him somewhat out of the blue. “It was all a bit unreal – delivering last parcels, last letters, saying goodbye. So many people gave me cards, gifts or came out to say goodbye personally. I was really touched.So many of those people I count as friends, rather than customers.”

“Being a postman has its challenges – early starts, grumpy dogs, bad weather – but all of that you can overcome and in the summer when the sun is shining, there is no better job to be in! It was very strange not having to get up early on Saturday, but I think I’ll get used to it! I’ll also now get lots of time to spend with my grand-daughter as I’m on preschool pick up at least twice a week…and no doubt I’ll be given a nice long list by my wife so I won’t be bored!”