Concert organised to help reinstate postman

A music festival is being held at The Old Boot Inn as part of a campaign to reinstate postman Ryan Naylor

THE LANDLORD at The Old Boot Inn in Stanford Dingley has organised a concert for the village postman who was recently sacked.

Villagers launched a campaign to reinstate veteran delivery man Ryan Naylor, who was invited to this year's Royal wedding by the Middleton family, after he was dismissed earlier this month following a career spanning almost two decades.

Now a petition titled “Saving Postman Ryan” has collected 300 signatures so far and an annual music festival has been dedicated to highlighting his plight.

Five live bands are booked to play the festival today (Monday) from midday until 7pm at The Old Boot Inn in Stanford Dingley.

There will also be a barbecue and admission is free.

Landlord, John Haley, said: “Everyone I've spoken to is behind Ryan.

“I've been here 15 years and he was here long before me. He looks out for everyone. If people are away on holiday he'll make sure milk isn't left on the doorstep. People even leave their house keys with him, that's how trustworthy he is.”

A Royal Mail spokeswoman, who asked not to be named, said: “We can confirm that we have terminated the contract of an employee after a quantity of mail appears to have been wilfully delayed.

"It is a serious offence to tamper with or delay the delivery of mail. We have a zero tolerance policy in this regard. The safety and security of mail is of the utmost importance to our business.”

More details on the festival are available by clicking on the link below.