At the age of nearly 91, Suffolk man Maurice Everson could lay claim to being the UK’s oldest paperboy, traipsing through snow and rain to deliver the news to his community in a trade traditionally associated with youth.
Now after 40 years, the Halesworth man has finally decided to hang up his satchel after deciding that it was "becoming too much" for him to continue with his Sunday routine.
But the father-of-three described how he would miss being able to speak to residents and hear their "points of view" as he visited homes to drop off the paper.
Former driving instructor Mr Everson, who lives in Old Station Road, used to operate seven days a week around the town but had to reduce to a Sunday-only round following an operation.
His day would typically begin at 5am, or 3.30am on Sundays, when he would leave his home and collect his bundle from DC Patrick newsagents in Thoroughfare, Halesworth.
As well as delivering to homes in the town, Mr Everson also had a country route that included the villages of Blythburgh, Wenhaston and Walberswick.
A particular memory that stands out was when he helped to save the life of a man who had collapsed with a stroke while he was on his round in Holton.
The door to his home was partially open and Mr Everson could see the man was unwell and called for an ambulance, which arrived shortly afterwards.
Celebrations for Maurice Everson as he retires. Picture: CHARLOTTE BOND (Image: Newsquest)
Thankfully, the resident was able to make a full recovery.
“I will miss everything about the paper round, but particularly I will miss talking to people and listening to their points of view,” Mr Everson said.
Newsagent David Patrick said Mr Everson had been doing a paper round ever since he started running the business in 1983.
He added: “He carried on with the round after he retired as a driving instructor. He has had accidents and medical problems, but he has always come back.”
Maurice is presented with gifts as he leaves DC Patrick Newsagents. PIcture: CHARLOTTE BOND (Image: Newsquest)
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