Dunfermline postie James hangs up his bag after 43 years
IT’S the end of an era at Dunfermline’s sorting office as a 43year career comes to an end for one city postie.
James Young, 66, retired at the end of last week, clocking out on Thursday before standing on the picket line with his co-workers for the final time during Friday’s Royal Mail strike.
“When I joined, it was a public service, we were the only delivery office,” he told the Press.
“It’s been a steady job but I’ve seen a lot of changes.
“When I started, I was delivering telegrams to Kinross-shire and half of Fife.
“I look back a lot with nostalgia, there’s been good times.”
In recent years, James has taken on a countryside route, passing through Steelend, where he has enjoyed building relationships with locals and picking out the best beauty spots to spend his breaks relaxing at.
“If I was a car I would have done well over 100,000 miles,” he continued.
“It’s a country run – I cover a fair bit – it’s a lot of driving, you get to know people in the area.
“Once I was out on the road I was my own boss, it’s great if you like your own company, I would stop on the Ochil Hills to have my tea.”
A strong supporter of the YES movement, James is now looking forward to becoming more involved in Independence campaigning – though he is sure he will be assigned more housework to do as well!
In recognition of his long service, he even received a letter from the First Minister, thanking him for his efforts.
“It was written personally, not on Government paper or anything,” he explained.
“She is a busy woman and had time to write me that, it was actually quite moving.
“It means a lot to me that she took the time – she has a lot of problems running the country she is having to deal with!”
Never one for rushing, James says it was just his time to retire, and that he will miss his chats with locals and the feeling of community spirit the most.
“If it was the tortoise and the hare, I would be the tortoise,” he laughed.
“I never raced out the door or around my duty, I got to know the people and got to know their interests. They would all tell me their stories, I think some people would just like to have a five-minute chat.
“If I was to break down they would offer me in and give me tea, they wouldn’t have had me sitting in the van, it was nice to have the camaraderie, they were nice touches. I just worked and I think people appreciated that.”
Living just around the corner from the Royal Mail sorting office on Woodmill Road, James doesn’t think he will become a stranger any time soon, looking forward to walking his route to work, which he says he could do with his eyes closed, with his dog instead of with his postbag.