Postman retires after more than 40 years delivering mail in Bromsgrove

Terry Grazier has been delivering post in Belbroughton and Bournheath for 40 years and to show their appreciation the community organised a special event for his last round on Saturday, July 22.

Around 100 people packed out the Nailers Arms pub in Bournheath to say their good wishes to the much-loved postie.

The community pulled together to raise more than £1,600 and even more is expected from a JustGiving page to say thank you to Terry.

The 72-year-old, who lives in Redditch, said he knew the community was planning a ‘little something’ but he ‘was not expecting more than 100 people to turn up’.

Terry with owners of The Nailers Arms, Shula and Phil Witherford. (Image: David Jellie.)

“It was a bit of a surprise, it was overwhelming,” said Terry.

“I have been a postman for 43 years and have been in Bournheath for 40 years.

“I am looking forward to retirement but will miss the people, they have become friends and family and we tend to look after them.

“I know them all by their first names.”

Terry said he plans to do some gardening during his retirement and ‘has some things in the pipeline’.

Residents Lauren Stinton and Tamar Hughes organised the event and said the day ‘was a great send off’.

Bromsgrove District Council leader, Cllr Karen May presented Terry with a cheque. (Image: David Jellie.)

“He was quite taken aback by the turn out which was around 100 people when only 40 were expected,” said Lauren.

Houses in the village were also decorated with balloons and signs.

Leader of Bromsgrove District Council, Cllr Karen May also attended the surprise party where she presented Terry with a cheque for £1,620 from the community as a retirement gift.

Owners of The Nailers Arms, Phil and Shula Witherford, thanked everyone who gave Terry the ‘send-off he deserved’ after delivering post to the pub for more than 40 years.