Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Alan Cleaver

@postalpathsguy.bsky.social

1.4K followers 980 following 370 posts

Author of books on UK footpaths. My book, Postal Paths, is due out April 2025 detailing the route used by rural postmen and women in the 19th and 20th Centuries. I live in Cumbria, UK. Follow me if you love walking footpaths. https://linktr.ee/postalpaths

linktr.ee

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Alan Cleaver @postalpathsguy.bsky.social · Nov 12

I spend my days walking old postal paths in Britain that were once walked by rural postmen and women. In the evening, I handwrite letters.

Alan walking the old Postman's Path on the Isle of Harris in Scotland.

4 22 210

Alan Cleaver @postalpathsguy.bsky.social · 6d

I am going to take a break from social media for a while. I'll pop back with any important news (or pictures of really cute kittens), but in the meantime, thanks for your continued support and stay well - Alan.

4 39

Alan Cleaver @postalpathsguy.bsky.social · Sep 3

"These servants of the State are frequently unreliable, capricious in their duties and liable to prolonged absenteeism," - March 1953 and boss David Gamman testifies to MPs about the Post Office's laziest employees: Cats
share.google/f6XlKH3ZjfQK...

Chief Mouser: The Post Office Cats - The Postal Museum

Post Office Cats actually got paid to do their jobs. Find out what that work en-tailed here.

share.google

1 11

Alan Cleaver @postalpathsguy.bsky.social · Sep 2

One of many delightful days during my meetings with current and former posties!

1 1

Reposted by Alan Cleaver

Kevin Boniface @kevinboniface.bsky.social · Sep 2

Also, good to see an article about @postalpathsguy.bsky.social’s excellent book The Postal Paths in the same issue

2 1 8

Alan Cleaver @postalpathsguy.bsky.social · Sep 2

Nice to see! I'm being sent a copy but good to know it's now out.

Alan Cleaver @postalpathsguy.bsky.social · Sep 2

The Hundred Year Stone in Derwentwater #Cumbria UK. Created by artist Peter Randall-Page to mark the centenary of the National Trust.

2 21

Alan Cleaver @postalpathsguy.bsky.social · Sep 1

A belated tip of the pen to World Letter Writing Day... a bit of fun from an illustrated letter to my nephew Henry.

1 14

Reposted by Alan Cleaver

The Handwritten Letter Appreciation Society @letterappsoc.bsky.social · Aug 27

In case of a letter writing emergency, break open beautiful correspondence from Member No. 999… (lovely post always comes to the rescue and saves the day!) ☺️🚨✉️ @postalpathsguy.bsky.social

3 15

Alan Cleaver @postalpathsguy.bsky.social · Aug 26

Rare editions of books by Peter Rabbit author Beatrix Potter are coming up.for auction including this almanac featuring Postman Peter Rabbit...
issuu.com/jammdesign/d...

Peter Rabbit almanac showing Peter on the cover as a postman

1 9

Alan Cleaver @postalpathsguy.bsky.social · Aug 24

My thanks to Dr Baldwin for sending me this archive picture of postman Sam Parker outside his postman's hut in Churchill and Blakedown, Worcestershire. Sam rested here and also repaired boots at the hut as a way to earn extra money. #UKHistory

Postman Sam Parker outside his hut. Date: 1920s?

3 19

Alan Cleaver @postalpathsguy.bsky.social · Aug 22

Bookshop owners tell me they always know if an author or any of his relatives have been into the bookshop. I wonder if this Jersey bookshop realises my brother is on holiday there this week?!

Bookshop with three copies of The Postal Paths proudly displayed on the shelves

Alan Cleaver @postalpathsguy.bsky.social · Aug 21

Walking down the peat-cutters path in Eskdale #Cumbria towards the village of Boot.

1 32

Alan Cleaver @postalpathsguy.bsky.social · Aug 21

Visiting the stone circles on the fell between Miterdale and Eskdale #Cumbria

1 2 22

Alan Cleaver @postalpathsguy.bsky.social · Aug 21

A stop-off at the ruins of the former Nanny Horns Inn at Miterdale #Cumbria - featured in a local legend about a gruesome murder.

Niall photographing the ruins of the Nanny Horns Inn

Alan Cleaver @postalpathsguy.bsky.social · Aug 21

A day of adventure with friend @Niallsspence starting with an encounter with giant rhubarb 😱

1 8

Alan Cleaver @postalpathsguy.bsky.social · Aug 20

Thankyou. The drawings are the good work of @fellranger.bsky.social

1 1

Alan Cleaver @postalpathsguy.bsky.social · Aug 19

My three-year-old nephew is obsessed with Postman Bear written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler so I had to decorate his birthday envelope appropriately (I just hope the letter from Axel's lawyers gets lost in the post!)

1 2 16

Alan Cleaver @postalpathsguy.bsky.social · Aug 19

That is good to hear.

Alan Cleaver @postalpathsguy.bsky.social · Aug 19

Here's a good idea: Let the public hitch a ride with the rural postman, easing congestion, providing better rural public transport and just making life nicer. But sadly the Postbus was ended on this day in 2017 😢 #OTD
www.postalmuseum.org/blog/the-sto...

1 4 25

Alan Cleaver @postalpathsguy.bsky.social · Aug 17

This will sell out in a few hours (despite the fact I'm in it!) A sumptuous Christmasy evening of readings, music, recipes, and more . A Cumbrian Christmas Cracker - Wednesday, December 3rd, at Keswick Theatre, #Cumbria. Don't delay - book it now.
www.theatrebythelake.com/event/cumbri...

3 10

Alan Cleaver @postalpathsguy.bsky.social · Aug 17

A trip to Yorkshire this weekend gave me the chance to explore the postal path walked by Mary Blackman from Dalton village. The path goes through a wood and stream which is just gorgeous. I'll tweet the full 4-mile path when I've finished the research. Watch this space!

The murmuring Beck 'neath Dalton bridge
Winds on away and down
It curves out many a bonnie mile
Away by Dalton Town.
- Lines by another Dalton postman, Isaac Braithwaite

1 30

Alan Cleaver @postalpathsguy.bsky.social · Aug 16

Something different for #postboxsaturday .. I like to decorate my letters with stamps. Ones from the Channel Islands are not legal tender from England but even so they have some gorgeous stamps to buy such as this series on Alderney postboxes. www.guernseystamps.com/Alderney-Pos...

Alan Cleaver @postalpathsguy.bsky.social · Aug 15

Coffee, scone and The Keswick Reminder at Threlkeld cafe. All is right with the world ❤️

Alan Cleaver @postalpathsguy.bsky.social · Aug 14

Loweswater #Cumbria - a (thankfully!) overlooked corner of the Lake District.

Loweswater Lake and hills in the background.

3 4 22

Alan Cleaver @postalpathsguy.bsky.social · Aug 14

A sad farewell today to fellow journalist Tracy, taken too young. Her funeral was at Loweswater in Cumbria - a valley she loved. It was also loved by writer Joyce Grenfell, who regularly stayed there. This is from one of Joyce's poems...

If I should die before the rest of you
Break not a flower nor inscribe a stone
Nor, when I'm gone, speak in a Sunday voice,
But be the usual selves that I have known.
Weep if you must
Parting is hell.
But life goes on
So sing as well.