Newspaper delivery man retires after 36 years

White van with a big blue sign saying "Jeff Savage - Newspaper and Magazine Home delivery service" on the side of it. There's a man in a a blue stripey shirt, with a small dog in his hands.
Image caption,

Jeff Savage said he delivered papers 363 days a year to people in Somerset

  • Published

A newspaper delivery man has retired after 36 years calling it the "best job in the world."

Jeff Savage delivered newspapers across the Cheddar Valley area in Somerset, seven days a week and originally took over from his dad in 1989.

He told BBC Radio Somerset: "My initial plan was to do for five years... but it just evolved into a way of life for me and I never stopped.

"I got up at 04:00am for 363 days a year - and together with my dog Ruby, we loved it."

Before he retired Mr Savage made sure someone would take his place and continue to deliver newspapers to people in the area.

He continued: "At my peak I was delivering to about 400 customers a day, doing a 5-mile radius mainly around Weare and Biddisham.

"The thing that I miss terribly is the human contact. Having conversations with friends and just nattering - it was a wonderful job."

About 20 people stood in a village hall. There's a big sign saying "Enjoy your next adventure Jeff".
Image caption,

Local people hosted a surprise party for Mr Savage to say thank you

Residents in Weare got together to show their appreciation for Jeff and Ruby and presented him with a special plaque at a surprise party.

Mr Savage said: "I walked in and opened the door and was overwhelmed with 50 odd people thanking me. I will never forget that.

"If I was running late, or hadn't turned up to a customer, my phone would always ring just saying 'are you okay Jeff'? How wonderful is that?"

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