Postal worker sings Happy Birthday to self-isolating Westham gran

A postwoman sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to an isolated pensioner in Westham.
Frances NorwoodFrances Norwood
Frances Norwood

Frances Norwood knew one of her customers, Jean, would be alone on her special day on Tuesday (March 31), so she decided to help her celebrate.

She said, “I spoke to her last week, she said ‘it’s my birthday next week and I won’t be able to see my family’.

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“I thought, poor thing. It’s awful for the elderly at the moment.

“On the day I noticed she had some birthday cards so when she opened the door I sang Happy Birthday to her.”

Frances thought no more of it, but the next thing she knew Jean’s daughter-in-law had shared the touching story on Facebook and it had gone viral.

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“I couldn’t believe what was happening,” she said, “It’s nice to think people do appreciate you.”

The mum, from Hampden Park, is among the key workers assigned by the Government to keep providing an essential services while the country is in lock down.

Frances has been delivering her usual post around Westham for 21 years, but now she has to leave the parcel on the door step and step back.

The 65-year-old said, “Most people are very good, you ring the doorbell and step back and they appreciate what we are doing.

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“I try and chat to people, I pass the time of day with people if I can.”

Daughter-in-law Joanne Gale shared the experience on her Facebook page.

She wrote, “I just wanted to say a massive thank you to the post lady who delivers in Westham.

“She sang happy birthday to my mother in law who is self-isolating at home due to being high risk. What an amazing and lovely thing to do.

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“You have lifted our spirits in what you have done today and my mother-in-law said she’ll never forget it.

“She has only lived here for three months so the feeling of closeness and community is something she will treasure after such a short space of time.

“If you know the post lady, please say a heartfelt thank you and what a wonderful person you are.”

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