UK News
British postman defies floods for Harry Potter fans (Extra)
Jul 24, 2007, 12:51 GMT
London - A postman in Britain has been hailed a local hero for defying rising flood waters in order to deliver eagerly-awaited copies of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows to fans, it was reported Tuesday.
Richard Yates arrived at the Evesham sorting office in Worcestershire, central Britain, last Saturday to be told that delivery rounds were cancelled for the region.
Yates, whose own daughter had been eagerly awaiting the final volume of the wizard's adventures, promptly loaded up his personal four-wheel-drive with pre-ordered copies and delivered them to Potter fans in his village.
'We had seen the floodwater and all the post vans outside the main post office earlier in the day and were resigned to not getting the copy,' said Chris Haynes, a local fan.
'But, about an hour later, a 4x4 came up the drive and out got this chap with a big grin on his face and explained what he was doing.'
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-AgenturCOMMENT
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Older Talkback
page: 1
Sorry to say but that probably never would have happened in the USA. Neither rain,nor sleet, nor dead of night is part of the the motto the US Post office is suppose to use. Now it is more likely you get it when we feel like it.
I think it is absolutely wonderful that there are still people out there who care about others and take their duties seriously. Mr. Yates could have stayed at the post office with the other mail carriers and enjoyed a day out of the elements and without carrying his delivery route. It is so nice to hear a story about someone who would do something like that. I wish there were more people who felt it is important to spread happiness to others.
Excellent work! I must admit with my American counterpart that this would have never happened here in the States. More often than not, most of our postal officers are drinking and having a good time behind the post office.
BugMan wrote:
'Sorry to say but that probably never would have happened in the USA. Neither rain,nor sleet, nor dead of night is part of the the motto the US Post office is suppose to use. Now it is more likely you get it when we feel like it.'
Where I live (SoCal, USA), it's more like: 'We'll give your mail to whoever we feel like giving it to . . . eventually.'
I keep getting my neighbor's mail (which I give to them). I have no idea who is getting my mail, but they must be throwing it away or keeping it (because I never see it). I wish my bills came via UPS or Federal Express - then I might actually receive them. :(
This is the best news story I've read in ages - it's a lovely change to read about people doing nice things for one another!
No he is not a hero, he is a bloody idiot. Suppose he gets stranded and has to be rescued -- using up emergency resources that someone else needed.
My dad is a letter carrier for the USPS - and trust me, he upholds the rain sleet and snow adage.
Why don't you put YOUR 62 year old father out to walk 7 miles daily on the streets of a major city when there is not only snow on the ground, but ice on the sidewalks? Quit being ungrateful, whiny children. Jesus - this is exactly why so many other countries HATE the US - because we're bratty, self-centered idiots who are entirely opposed to and disdain any form of servitude or physical labor.
GROW UP!
Also, I'd like to point out that NNNNOOOOOOO book, Bible or Koran included, is worth risking your life and your vehicle.
LEAST of all a fiction book. As if those people would have been physically ill without the book!
You know, in China, they have clinics for young boys addicted to the internet.
Maybe we need to start those for our kids addicted to Harry Potter.
Don't get me wrong - I love books - I'm an avid reader - but COME ON!!!!!
There's more hype about this one book than there was about GWB getting elected.
that was a nice thing to do.
comparing chinese clinics to an average chap being nice is a little extreme.
and who cares if it was the harry potter book? it has nothing to do with what the postman FELT like doing. if he WILLINGLY endangers himself, don't insult him while you sit at your computer.
Your AMAZING!!! Thank God there are still good people like you about to save the day!! I can just imagine what i would feel like if i didn't get the book on the 21st, i would be sooooo UPSET!!! Three cheers for richard yates!!! hip-hip, hurray!! hip-hip, hurray!! hip-hip, hurray!!!!!! and one for luck! hip-hip hurray!!!!!!! Richard Yates a true hero! :)
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Howard HudsonJul 24th, 2007 - 13:29:26
Now he sounds like a regular bloke! Good on you, mate!
Howard Hudson,
Salem, Oregon, where rains didn't require any heroics to get the Deathly Hallows.
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