A popular postie has made his final delivery as he called time on more than 44 years of service in Ayr.
John Price, 65, has been a familiar face across the town during a Royal Mail career spanning four decades.
John today (Friday) bid an emotional farewell to a job that has been his life.
The stalwart took off his red bag after 44 years and eight months trekking the streets of Ayr.
In that time John has braved the bitterly cold winter mornings, walked through "ghost streets" during the Covid pandemic and evaded the odd barking dog.
John ensured parcels reached the Open Championships in Turnberry as well as deliver essentials to HMS Gannet in Prestwick.
He even had the honour of being postie to one of the town's most famous residents, the late great Sydney Devine.
And he became a constant figure on Carrick Road where he stomped the plush neighbourhood for 18 years building lasting friendships along the way.
The former Belmont Academy pupil was saluted by colleagues at Ayr's Royal Mail HQ.
An emotional John told the Post: “It’s been an honour and a privilege to work for the Royal Mail for all this time.
“I knew towards the end that I was done. At 65 and all the years I’ve done it’s a long long time. I don’t know where the time has gone.
“The staff were all wonderful, even staff who were off came down to say goodbye. It was a really nice way to sign off.”
John started with the Royal Mail in 1978 after working in the old John & Miller Sons Ironmongers on Alloway Street.
And he has recalled how things were very different back then.
He said: “I started on with the Royal Mail on October 23, 1978 and I ended up with more money in my pocket than I ever had.
“I worked in a shop before that but I always knew I wanted to be working outside and talking to people.
“When I joined Royal Mail my money doubled. I’ve never looked back since then. I’m the longest serving guy that is left in Ayr.
“Since my early days everything has changed there was no internet back then, no mobile phones.
“Everything and I mean everything, was letter and parcels.
“The first Christmas was really busy. I’ve never seen so much many cards. There was millions of them.
“I would get up 6am and work right up to half 12, go for a break and get back to it until about 7.30pm.
“It was overwhelming, but we done it every year.
“You notice how different Christmases are now, there's a lot less letters, but I’ll still miss it. It was a great time of the year to work.”
John credits the Royal Mail for giving him huge opportunities including driving lessons so he could pilot one of the iconic red motors.
But when he wasn’t driving across town delivering parcels John was found trekking the streets.
“You need to like walking if you do this job,” John joked: “I’ve probably walked thousands of miles in my time.
“I’ve loved it. It’s something I’ll really miss about the job and something I intend to keep doing.”
John started off delivering mail in Whitlettts before ticking off Masonhill and Dalmilling, before getting a round in Alloway.
But it was Carrick Road where John dedicated most of a time on a round he loved.
He added: “I had a round along Carrick Road for 18 years. Everyone knew me.
“I only just left it last October, they started to extend the distance and it became too much for me.
“I loved that round though. I never fully got a chance to say goodbye to everyone so I hope those residents are reading this so I can thank them for all their support over the years.
“I’ve seen families through every stage of their lives, you get to know everyone really well. It’s almost like you're part of the family.
"Some folk still come up to me and say 'are you no retired yet?' well I am now.
"I've had people come up and speak to me that I've known since they were at school. They are all grown up now with jobs of their own.
"A lot of this job is what you put in. I always have them a dedicated service and it was appreciated.
“If there is one bit advice I’d give to anyone starting off it is to talk to people. It makes such a difference."
One Ayr resident who John will never forget is the legendary Sydney Devine.
John added: “I was Syndey Devine’s postie in one of my previous rounds on Longbank Road.
“Sydney was a great guy. His house had a swimming pool but it wasn’t the biggest house I’d delivered to.
“He’d always come out and talk to me. A few years later I had a parcel delivery to a house in Alloway and it turns out it was Sydney.
“It must have been six years but he still remembered me. He was delighted to see me and was talking away.
“I was really saddened when I heard of his passing. He was a great guy.”
Finally John couldn’t help but admit to have a few “near escapes” with the odd four-legged nemesis.
He added: “People think there is a myth that dogs go for us posties. It’s absolutely true.
“I’ve luckily only been bitten once. It was a black Labrador and it got me on the back of my leg.
“Sometimes I’ve had to be careful and I’ve had a good few near escapes.”
John now plans on enjoying the rest of the summer with his feet up as he looks ahead to retirement.
John added: “It feels really strange. It is very hard to describe, it’s like going on holiday but its a long holiday.
“I’m still getting retirement letters. Maybe one or two will turn up in the post!”
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