Posties enter December rush with a million plus deliveries

Friday 14 December 2018

With another 10 days to go before they can have a well deserved rest, Guernsey's posties are rushed off their feet as the island's mail delivery system looks set to deal with another record breaking amount of post this Christmas.

During the first week of December alone, Guernsey Post handled more than one million items, which was an 82% increase on the average weekly volumes handled in November, which is also one of the busiest months of the year.

It's not Christmas cards keeping them busy though, with a continuing decline in traditional mail volumes being noticed more sharply this year - but rather an increase in parcels and packages as online orders are delivered ahead of the 25 December.

One of Guernsey's industry sectors is also playing its part in keeping the postmen and postmen busy with the number of personalised greetings cards and gifts also increasing at this time of year. Guernsey Post said, the likes of Moonpig and Funky Pigeon add to the extra volume at meaning at least one additional aircraft is needed each day to fly mail to the UK up until the weekend before Christmas day.

Pictured: Guernsey Post Chief Executive Boley Smillie.

The man who has to make sure all of our Christmas post is delivered and received is Chief Executive Boley Smilie. He said all of his staff are busy and will be kept busy until the end of the month.

“We still have some way to go but in the first week the total amount of mail processed for delivery within the Bailiwick, or despatched to the UK, has exceeded 1 million items. We expect to at least maintain that level throughout the rest of the month," he said.

One extra problem Guernsey Post have to deal with when handling Christmas mail, is the weather. This year there have been high winds which has impacted on the ferries carrying some of the larger mail items.

Mr Smillie said that hasn't stopped the posties getting everything delivered as soon as they can.

“The arrival and despatch of the mail has been disrupted over the last two weekends due to strong winds and the subsequent cancellation of ferry services. However, I can reassure our customers that the team at Guernsey Post continue to work extremely hard to ensure the mail is delivered as soon as it arrives in Guernsey. Our staff will be out on delivery every day right up until Christmas Eve, including Saturdays and Sundays.”

Pictured top: Guernsey Post are busier than ever, with record levels of mail expected to be delivered this Christmas.