Farewell to ‘fantastic’ postie Dave after 42 years service

Caverswall villagers have said goodbye to their ‘popular’ postman after 42 years of service. A farewell party was held for Dave Weston, 63, at the Auctioneers Arms in Caverswall Thursday night.

The postie said it’s been a ‘real privilege’ to work as Caverswall’s postman for the last 12 years and has been taken back by the response he’s had to his retirement.

Dave, from Werrington, said: “I’m absolutely overwhelmed by the outpouring of appreciation from the people of Caverswall. I didn’t realise how much a community could become attached to a regular postman. It’s been a real pleasant surprise.”

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Before joining the service, Dave, then 21-years-old, was training to be an accountant when he was made redundant. He knew working indoors wasn’t working for him anyway and decided to get a job with the Royal Mail.

He said: “I wanted to work outdoors, being out in all weathers never bothered me. It suited my life, I was always home by dinner time to take the kids up from school.”

Between 1981 and 2012, Dave covered rounds in Stoke, Hanley and Longton, before finally bagging his dream route at Caverswall.

“It took me 30 years to get the round, I was waiting and waiting for the vacancy. Being a village postman, you become part of the community.

“People like to see a familiar face, someone they can talk to and trust. It’s been a real privilege to be Caverswall’s postman. I’ve been taken into the community and made to feel part of the village.”

Dave reflects back on how a postie’s job has changed over the years: “During covid people who never dreamed of using the internet started ordering online. It’s never been easier or more convenient. It used to be mainly letters but now it’s mainly packets and parcels.

“It just means you’re knocking on every other door. But you get to know people and what they want, which neighbour to leave the parcel with. Caverswall is such a close community everyone looks out for one another.

“The most memorable time was working during lockdown. It was the most unusual time. It was quiet everywhere, there was no traffic on the road.”

Dave never wanted to retire but found the job that used to keep him fit was now ‘wearing him out’. As a grandad, his family will keep him busy and he can now enjoy weekends with them which he was unable to do before.

In retirement Dave will have more time to watch football. He’s a big supporter of Port Vale FC, but said he won’t buy a season ticket as he can only ‘take so much punishment’.

Caverswall resident Brian Griffiths, a retired firefighter, said Dave will be sadly missed. The 57-year-old added: “Everybody in the village speaks so highly of Dave. He’s the kind of guy who doesn’t just do his job, he stops and spends time talking to you.

“He’s got a fantastic sense of humour and will talk to you about everything. You look forward to meeting him at the door when he comes. He’s very popular and he’ll be sadly missed, but he’s due his retirement.”

Dave added: “I’d like to say thank you to the people of Caverswall for making the last twelve years a nice time. I’ve been proud to be part of the community.”

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