Petition started to save Pavenham postie “snatched away” from village community

A petition has been launched asking Royal Mail to change their minds over the reassignment of a “trusted” postman who locals say is being “snatched away” from their community.

The petition, which has almost 200 signatures at the time of publication, has been set up by Pavenham local Sara Darlow says that postman John Eagles ‘knows every house, every street corner, and more importantly, every one of us’.

The petition goes on to say that Pavenham residents, ‘value not only his postal services but the sense of unity he adds to our community. The smiles he brings when he drops off a package goes [sic] beyond just doing his job; it nurtures the social fabric of our community.’

Another local, Verity Barber, told the Bedford Independent that John is “a big part of our community and it makes a real difference to have someone we all know delivering in a village the size of Pavenham. He adds to our sense of community and we know and trust him.”

She added that she was told, “he [John] had to reapply for his own job, but applicants with the longest service are always favoured. Someone with longer service applied and was given his round.”

Verity says they’re concerned John’s local knowledge will now be lost.

“He is due to be replaced with someone who does not know the area, we always have issues when he is on holiday, with letters ending up in the wrong places and letterboxes and ‘do not enter garden dogs loose’ signs ignored.

“John is a big part of our community and it makes a real difference to have someone we all know delivering in a village the size of Pavenham. He adds to our sense of community and we know and trust him.”

The Bedford Independent contacted Royal Mail who told us that John’s round in the village was only temporary and the new ‘postie’ would be a permanent fixture within Pavenham and get to know the area once they start.

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “We thank residents for the passion they have for our posties. We are very proud to have many dedicated individuals within Royal Mail who are committed to serving their communities.

“The current postie was covering Pavenham on a temporary basis and has been reassigned to a new role. Pavenham is being assigned a permanent postie who is looking forward to his new route and will receive full training.” 

You can see the petition at change.org.