A campaign has been launched in Northiam to keep the village’s regular postman. Rick Kehoe says he is “devastated” at being moved to a new patch after 21 years, with residents expressing their shock after hearing the news at the weekend. So far (by Thursday 13 August), over 600 people have signed a petition calling on Royal Mail to reverse the decision.
“He isn’t just a postman to us,” said Georgie Rhodes. “He is a dear friend, a pillar of our community, and he knows every single household personally. We would all be absolutely devastated to lose his kind, friendly, and helpful face every morning.”
Rick delivers post to over 400 houses in Northiam. Villagers say he knows every household, their personal preferences for deliveries – and their dogs. The plan is to replace him with three different people.
Sarah Walker, who raised the issue with the village, said, “He has shown me enormous sensitivity on difficult days.”
Northiam residents have also described how the postman makes a positive difference to the village every day, praising how he keeps a watchful eye on elderly or vulnerable people, who look forward to his daily visits.
“I am absolutely devastated that I am being moved to another duty,” said Rick. “I’ve been covering Northiam for the past 21 years and thought I would retire from Northiam. I have been part of so many things in my customers’ lives over the years, some beautiful times: births, weddings, new homes, new pets, children starting school and leaving school moving on to adulthood, and of course the sad times, the heartache we all go through some point in our life.”
He remembers the support the village has given him in return. “When I lost my granddaughter the village were my comfort blanket. It’s a pressure release while you’re at work knowing my customers have my best interest at heart, when you have so many people looking out for you it’s beautiful. Its not just a job it’s my life.”
Georgie Rhodes has now launched a petition. “We understand that postal networks require operational updates and route shuffles. However, replacing a postman with 21 years of deeply rooted community trust is a massive mistake that would leave our entire village absolutely devastated. You cannot replace the decades of local knowledge, safety, and the joy Rick brings to our doorsteps every morning.”
You can sign the petition here www.change.org/p/save-our-postie-keep-rick-on-our-village-route
Royal Mail has been approached for comment.
Image Credits: Karen Ayling .