Nell Rawlin first moved to Bolsterstone, a remote moorland village some 8 miles north west of Sheffield, in 1949 with her late husband Malc. It was to be a further 21 years before Nell, as an 'incomer', was able to get a job on the post. As natural 'story teller' Nell was interviewed by Year 6 of Stockbridge School in June 2004. The following transcript of postal anecdotes is taken from the resulting book - 'Bolsterstone - in living memory'...
(Post-war) The post in the rural area round Bolsterstone was served by two women, Mrs Retallic and Mrs. Sampson. The mail was carried from Deepcar to Bolsterstone by the postman (on foot). After he had deposited the Bolsterstone mail he left to deliver the post around the outlying farms towards Bradfield. He had no transport! Think of all the hills he had to climb, post bag on his back - and he was always bang on time! The two post women had to cart their own mail. There was a stand-in if either were on holiday or ill. 'Incomers' (i.e. Nell) had little chance of getting the much sought-after part-time job!!!
(More to follow...)
(Post-war) The post in the rural area round Bolsterstone was served by two women, Mrs Retallic and Mrs. Sampson. The mail was carried from Deepcar to Bolsterstone by the postman (on foot). After he had deposited the Bolsterstone mail he left to deliver the post around the outlying farms towards Bradfield. He had no transport! Think of all the hills he had to climb, post bag on his back - and he was always bang on time! The two post women had to cart their own mail. There was a stand-in if either were on holiday or ill. 'Incomers' (i.e. Nell) had little chance of getting the much sought-after part-time job!!!
(More to follow...)
