Alan Cleaver

Alan says a temporary farewell.

I am going to take a break from social media for a while. I'll pop back with any important news (or pictures of really cute kittens), but in the meantime, thanks for your continued support and stay well - Alan.

Chief Mouser: The Post Office Cats - The Postal Museum Post Office Cats actually got paid to do their jobs. Find out what that work en-tailed here.

"These servants of the State are frequently unreliable, capricious in their duties and liable to prolonged absenteeism," - March 1953 and boss David Gamman testifies to MPs about the Post Office's laziest employees: Cats
share.google/f6XlKH3ZjfQK...

One of many delightful days during my meetings with current and former posties!

Also, good to see an article about @postalpathsguy.bsky.social’s excellent book The Postal Paths in the same issue

Nice to see! I'm being sent a copy but good to know it's now out.

The Hundred Year Stone in Derwentwater #Cumbria UK. Created by artist Peter Randall-Page to mark the centenary of the National Trust.

A belated tip of the pen to World Letter Writing Day... a bit of fun from an illustrated letter to my nephew Henry.

In case of a letter writing emergency, break open beautiful correspondence from Member No. 999… (lovely post always comes to the rescue and saves the day!) ☺️🚨✉️ @postalpathsguy.bsky.social

Peter Rabbit almanac showing Peter on the cover as a postman

Rare editions of books by Peter Rabbit author Beatrix Potter are coming up.for auction including this almanac featuring Postman Peter Rabbit...
issuu.com/jammdesign/d...

Postman Sam Parker outside his hut. Date: 1920s?

My thanks to Dr Baldwin for sending me this archive picture of postman Sam Parker outside his postman's hut in Churchill and Blakedown, Worcestershire. Sam rested here and also repaired boots at the hut as a way to earn extra money. #UKHistory

Bookshop with three copies of The Postal Paths proudly displayed on the shelves

Bookshop owners tell me they always know if an author or any of his relatives have been into the bookshop. I wonder if this Jersey bookshop realises my brother is on holiday there this week?!

Walking down the peat-cutters path in Eskdale #Cumbria towards the village of Boot.

Niall at the stone circles

Visiting the stone circles on the fell between Miterdale and Eskdale #Cumbria

Niall photographing the ruins of the Nanny Horns Inn

A stop-off at the ruins of the former Nanny Horns Inn at Miterdale #Cumbria - featured in a local legend about a gruesome murder.

Neil stood next to giant rhubarb

A day of adventure with friend @Niallsspence starting with an encounter with giant rhubarb 😱

Thankyou. The drawings are the good work of @fellranger.bsky.social

Envelope with drawing of Postman Bear

My three-year-old nephew is obsessed with Postman Bear written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler so I had to decorate his birthday envelope appropriately (I just hope the letter from Axel's lawyers gets lost in the post!)

That is good to hear.

Poster promoting the PostBus

Here's a good idea: Let the public hitch a ride with the rural postman, easing congestion, providing better rural public transport and just making life nicer. But sadly the Postbus was ended on this day in 2017 😢 #OTD
www.postalmuseum.org/blog/the-sto...

This will sell out in a few hours (despite the fact I'm in it!) A sumptuous Christmasy evening of readings, music, recipes, and more . A Cumbrian Christmas Cracker - Wednesday, December 3rd, at Keswick Theatre, #Cumbria. Don't delay - book it now.
www.theatrebythelake.com/event/cumbri...

The murmuring Beck 'neath Dalton bridge Winds on away and down It curves out many a bonnie mile Away by Dalton Town. - Lines by another Dalton postman, Isaac Braithwaite

A trip to Yorkshire this weekend gave me the chance to explore the postal path walked by Mary Blackman from Dalton village. The path goes through a wood and stream which is just gorgeous. I'll tweet the full 4-mile path when I've finished the research. Watch this space!

Alderney stamps with blue postbox

Something different for #postboxsaturday .. I like to decorate my letters with stamps. Ones from the Channel Islands are not legal tender from England but even so they have some gorgeous stamps to buy such as this series on Alderney postboxes. www.guernseystamps.com/Alderney-Pos...

Coffee, scone and The Keswick Reminder at Threlkeld cafe. All is right with the world ❤️

Loweswater Lake and hills in the background.

Loweswater #Cumbria - a (thankfully!) overlooked corner of the Lake District.

If I should die before the rest of you Break not a flower nor inscribe a stone Nor, when I'm gone, speak in a Sunday voice, But be the usual selves that I have known. Weep if you must Parting is hell. But life goes on So sing as well.

A sad farewell today to fellow journalist Tracy, taken too young. Her funeral was at Loweswater in Cumbria - a valley she loved. It was also loved by writer Joyce Grenfell, who regularly stayed there. This is from one of Joyce's poems...

Thankyou @suesconsideredt.bsky.social ..

Thankyou!

Black and white photo of the former post office and a family standing outside it.

One of my current research projects is finding the old postal paths walked by postmen and women around Forest-in-Teesdale (County Durham). This is the old post office pictured in 1906 with the Redfearn family standing outside...

Ten Poems from the Lake District booklet

I picked up three copies of this beautiful booklet by Polly Atkin @pollyrowena.bsky.social while visiting @samreadbookseller.bsky.social in Grasmere yesterday. The perfect gift for friends far away.
Ten Poems from the Lake District share.google/nc6f2Ozxjtup...

Thankyou!