I started with the GPO as a postie, at Darlington, in the mid 1970s.
As time permits I'll add more images/commentary - Dave Charlesworth, St. Georges Day, April 23rd 2008.
The framed list below is displayed in the entrance lobby of the Darlington Mail Centre, Royal Mail House, 2 St. Cuthberts Way, DARLINGTON, DL1 1AA. It names every Postmaster from 1672 to 1992.
From the begining of April 1992 Royal Mail Darlington ceased to exist as a District. Therefore, as District Head Postmaster, John Ensoll took early retirement after 32 years service.
Bert Minchin, ERD (Emergency Reserve Decoration), 1963 to 1976, was also decorated as a member of the Army Emergency Reserve.
The above image, as viewed from Crown Street, shows the Darlington Head Post Office c 1900 (courtesy of the BPMA). Later, with the closure of the Head Post Office in 1982, the ground floor was redeveloped for Post Office Counters Ltd.
Photo taken on the first floor sorting hall at Darlington Head Post Office, Crown Street, in the early 1970s. It shows Les Mitchell giving Fred Fawcett tuition in packet sorting (courtesy of the BPMA - Fred let the BPMA have his print of the above)
Both Les and Fred, Barnard Castle Postmen, used to run collections into Darlington and outward sort of an evening. Fred later became the PHG (Postman Higher Grade) at Barnard Castle donating this photo to the BPMA.
Over Fred's left shoulder can be seen the annex (note the first floor arched windows) where I, as PHG, used to outward 'road' sort short and long letters.
Mr. William Penn,
When Postal Operations removed to the new MLO (Mechanised Letter Office) in St. Cuthberts Way in 1984 the Northgate counter, being a listed building, was put up for sale and Counters took over the old sorting office ground floor becoming known as the Darlington Branch Office, Crown Street, DL1 1AB.
The 'listed' Northgate Post Office Counter for sale, 1984
The counter was eventually sold to Dorothy Perkins but the facard remained as the 'Post Office'.
Dignitaries at the reopening of the Northgate Post Office following alterations in December 1956.
Note the double aperture posting box. You could post from both inside the counter or from Northgate street-side. Items fell into parcel bags mounted on a square sliding frame and, when full, were a 'devil' to collect (no 11KGS weight limit in those days!).
Darlington Branch Office looking up Crown Street in 1987.
Darlington Branch Office looking down Crown Street in 1987.
The above photo shows an EA345 Crew Bus (no windows in them days) on the left with an upgraded Sherpa (note the wire grill on the sliding side door). Taken in 1981 they were both painted in a special silver livery to promote postcode penetration - I got to drive them both at one time or another. (Courtesy of the Post Office Vehicle Club. The fine publication of 1995 - Royal Mail Trucks in Britain, in which this photo appears, is still available - price £31.95.
Also taken in 1981, this photo shows the new Mechanised Letter Office (MLO) under construction with Quadrants Restaurant on the left of the glass link corridor. (Some one - some where - has the album of the official opening ???)
Crown Street GPO Yard - repairing the gate post May 1972. Note the gable end of the Northern Echo building to the left. (Both the Echo & GPO shared a generator for use during power cuts to maintain customer service.)
Winston postmen ready to deliver the mail around the time of the First World War.
Three snaps of the last delivery from Winston Scale Payment Delivery Office (SPDO).
This oil painting was commissioned for the opening of Royal Mail House, 2 St. Cuthberts Way, Darlington, DL1 1AA in 1982.
The following is taken from a newspaper cutting of March 10, 2006:
Postman a first class choice
"A DARLINGTON POSTMAN is among eight staff nominated for the Royal Mail's First Class People Awards.
Harry Mears, from Ingleton, near Staindrop, County Durham, is one of the eight posties in the North-East and Yorkshire who have been chosen by satisfied customers.
The eight men and women are being recognised for the extra work they do as well as delivering letters.
They will all receive £100 and be entered into the regional finals.
Mr Mears helps to raise funds for his village and helps with music lessons at Ingleton School.
The overall winner of the First Class People Award 2006, to be announced at an award ceremony in London, will win a £2,000 family holiday and spending money."
