Newmarket Postie Karl Drayton Marks 40 Years on Same Delivery Route

Karl Drayton lost his mechanic job when the garage in Dullingham closed down. His mom suggested he help with Christmas mail, as she worked at the Stetchworth post office.

That temporary job became permanent quickly. Karl celebrated 40 years as Dullingham’s postman on Wednesday, marking a significant milestone. The Post Office was woven into his family’s history.

His mom, Eileen, ran Stetchworth post office, working alongside his dad, Bill, for 40 years before retiring in 1991. Before them, his grandfather managed the same post office, continuing a family tradition.

Having grown up in Dullingham, Karl already knew the area well, which was beneficial for his new delivery route. However, his route has evolved over time, expanding significantly during those four decades of service.

His current route now includes London Road and the Newmarket Equine Hospital. He delivers to a much larger number of houses compared to when he started.

He initially delivered mail by bicycle, but in 1991, he transitioned to a vehicle to better manage his growing route. Today, he delivers to approximately 400 homes throughout the area.

Karl’s extensive knowledge of the area allows him to locate most people easily. He has formed strong relationships with many customers over the years, with some having been the children of customers he knew from the start.

At 62 years old, Karl recently decided to start working part-time due to recurring knee issues. Despite this, he has no immediate plans to retire.

Karl and his wife, Lesley, a nurse, reside in Kennett. Lesley also lectures at Anglia Ruskin University, which is now located in Cambridge.

Fellow posties surprised Karl at the Newmarket delivery office on The Avenue to celebrate his remarkable 40 years of service.

Overwhelmed by the surprise, Karl expressed his gratitude, noting that the group is supportive overall. He said Newmarket has always been a positive place to work, where people share a lot of camaraderie and good-natured banter.

Despite his impressive tenure of four decades, Karl isn’t the longest-serving postman, officially holding the second-longest record in the office.