There was a lump in his throat as postman Dave Reeve made a delivery last Wednesday.
The property in Glenside North, Pinchbeck, was his final walk up a path after 30 years on the Mill Green and West Pinchbeck route.
Dave turns 60 on April 29 and began retirement on Thursday in much the same fashion as a workday, with an early breakfast. But instead of biking to the Royal Mail delivery office in Pinchbeck to prepare for his round of 400 properties, he popped into his garage for an hour of exercise jump roping.
“I did think to myself on Wednesday while I was having my breakfast that it would be the last time I’d be doing that routine,” said Dave. “I wouldn’t say that I’m emotional but I’m a human being and as I made that final delivery, I was a bit choked up.
“I handed them the post and thought ‘that’s that, then’. They knew it was my final one.
“Then I came home and changed out of my uniform and took it back to the delivery office with my security badge.”
But far from being upset about his 33 years with Royal Mail coming to an end, Dave is looking forward to spending more time with his wife of 22 years, Marion, and enjoying his favourite pursuits of running, cycling and model boating.
The former Gleed Boys’ School pupil became a postman (based at the former sorting office in The Crescent, Spalding) after an engineering apprenticeship at Mirlees Blackstone in Stamford.
“I hated being shut up inside,” he said. “Being out and about as a postman is the best job in the world.”
His first round was in Gosberton Risegate before a switch to Cowbit – and the customers there were so fond of him that they started a petition to try and stop him moving on.
But for the past three decades West Pinchbeck and Mill Green has been his patch and, naturally, he built up strong relationships with many householders. As a cat lover, he’s enjoyed being greeted by the many pets on the route but some two-legged animals were not so welcoming.
“Geese on the farms have been a challenge sometimes. When they start flapping, you learn to run pretty quickly!” he joked.
On his final few days, Dave was receiving almost as many deliveries as he was making with many customers wishing to thank him for his friendship and dedication with gifts and cards. Some put up notes in their window to wish him well.
One customer, Melanie Appleyard, said: “Dave is a fantastic man – always willing to stop and have a chat, asking about your interests and sharing bits of his own life.
“He never missed a day and always went that extra mile. He’ll be missed by many!”
A Facebook post by her about Dave’s retirement received scores of comments with appreciation for his work and good wishes.
Dave, of Rotten Row, Pinchbeck, said: “I’m not a young man and I’m not an old man and I’m looking forward to retirement.
“But I’m sorry to be leaving the customers. I just want to say a massive thank you to them. The human kindness has been lovely. There are too many to mention but they know who they are.”
