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IDENTICAL twin postwomen from Oxfordshire have been crowned as two of the UK’s most-loved postal workers.
Clare and Nicola Warner, 33, from Witney have been picked as winners from 20,000 nominations in a ‘Thank You Postie’ campaign which celebrates those postal workers who have gone ‘above and beyond’ the call of duty this year.
The postwomen work for Royal Mail and deliver in the village of Freeland.
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The campaign was run by notonthehighstreet, a website on which small and independent businesses can sell their wares, and it relies on the postal service to deliver to its customers.
The Warner sisters were nominated by Jodie Gaul, a West Oxfordshire artisan who sells gifts through notonthehighstreet and has relied on the postal service to keep her business running during lockdown.
The twins even collected her order bags from her door to save her the trip to the Post Office.
Ms Gaul said: “Clare and Nicola have always gone out of their way for us, but the pandemic really highlighted how much they do for us. During lockdown, they really went out of their way for our entire village, spending time with each of us, especially the more vulnerable within our community.”
She added: “Both also donated to a local charity set up by a resident that has focused on cheering us all up in the village The charity set up a display featuring a giant monkey and teddy bear, which the twins brought along on some of their rounds to bring a smile to the little ones.
“If that was not enough, they even took it upon themselves to take some of my orders to the local post office to save me having to leave the house. True heroes. And they come as twins.”
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Clare Warner said: “It’s been a difficult year for all of us, but with every difficult situation comes a positive. The positive for us is that after almost 14 years working as a postie, it has reminded us just how extraordinary people can be.
“It’s also reminded me just how important your local community is, especially during difficult times.”
Her sister Nicola added: “It has been difficult at times, but when you get out on your route and are greeted by customer after customer with great big smiles on their faces, it really makes your day.”
“I hope that myself and Clare have been able to give back the warmth that they greet us with each day. Honestly, I think we’re both just so pleasantly surprised to be nominated in the first place.”
The ‘Thank You Postie’ campaign had nominations from across the UK. Postal workers in Scotland, Yorkshire, Wales, Devon, and the twins in Witney were nominated as the UK’s most loved posties.
The hero twin postwomen and other winners have been unveiled in a series of portraits that accompany the stories behind their nomination.
The winners will also receive festive food, drink, gifts, and decorations from some of the 5,000 small businesses that sell with notonthehighstreet.
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