The Welton News and Views back catalogue contains a fascinating collection of ‘spotlight’ articles of members of the community, one of whom was Bill Broadfield, Welton’s much loved postman who, in 2026, also shared his memories with Welton History Group.
Though not resident within Welton, Bill was a well-known member of the wider community of Welton, delivering the mail six days a week in a time when letters were the norm, long before the internet and email took over.
Born in Birmingham, in his earlier days Bill had been a Royal Artillery Gunner. Like his father before him he later decided to become a ‘postie’. He trained at King’s Cross Postal School in London and was a postman there for 20 years. A key test for would-be posties was to be able to sort 400 letters in 11 minutes – something Bill said was extremely challenging for him as a new boy in London!
It is increasingly hard nowadays to recall a time when such tasks were done by hand. Nowadays scanners and computers would probably have the task done in a fraction of the time!
It was in London that Bill met his wife, and the couple later moved initially to Birmingham. However, a sign advertising employment in Daventry caught his eye and the rest, as they say, is history.
Welton resident memory: Bill was (and presumably remains) an ardent Birmingham City supporter and the results of any football match involving Birmingham City could be instantly judged by Bill’s mood the following morning!
Bill’s first contact with Welton was around 1974 when, as part of his Norton and Whilton round, his responsibilities included delivering parcels to Welton and collecting the outgoing mail. Then, in 1982, he followed the previous ‘resident’ postie, Cecil, who (they say) almost had to be forced out at the age of 74!
The process back then was that posties were required to apply for the ‘rounds’ they wanted for the next year. Bill chose Welton. Rounds were ‘awarded’ in order of seniority – but Bill was, and remained, successful in his selection of Welton for many years.
Welton resident memory: You always knew when winter had well and truly arrived in Welton – when Bill finally put his shorts away.
Bill’s memories of his experiences on the Welton round became legendary, such as:
- Staggering across fences and fields to deliver post to an isolated farm after his van became stuck in a snowdrift, only to be set upon by the farm dog when he arrived!
- Transporting an inflatable life-sized doll (don’t ask – and no, the address of the recipient was not shared!), which became unwrapped… someone inflated said doll, which was then delivered in its fully formed state! I am sure the neighbours were taken aback!
We were fortunate to meet Bill during our early research into Welton history and found him to be a treasure trove of memories of Welton residents in days gone by. His anecdotes included reference to The Old House being once occupied by a German gentleman, Herr Frank: we know no more than this at present – but maybe you can help?
Wisteria Cottage once figured in a home make‑over! Following this intriguing snippet, further research had to be undertaken!
The programme was called House Doctor, on Channel 4 and our Welton cottage featured in season 6, episode 11.
The programme was hosted by a Californian home stylist called Ann Maurice. The show focused on de‑cluttering and styling homes that were otherwise struggling to appeal to buyers. Regrettably it is no longer available to view.
Bill complained that the show featured the old stone floor being taken up and various period features being ‘ripped out’.
Bill also recounted many tales of political visitors to the Stone House. We know that Jean Cox, lived there with her husband, Professor Cox between 1963 and 1996. Although she had left-leaning views, she became a Conservative Party member and went on to become a well-regarded leader of Daventry District Council, being awarded an MBE in 1992 for her services to local government.
Bill said that he would often take tea in the kitchen of the Stone House when on his round and that Mrs Cox would tell him he was on ‘hallowed ground’ referencing a number of high-level visitors to the house including Margaret Thatcher, Nigel Lawson, John Major and William Whitelaw. He believed that Welton was favoured as a good place to meet, out of the gaze of public scrutiny. Apparently, the chauffeur(s) remained outside with MI5 men!
Whether this was true, or just gentle teasing by Mrs Cox – the visitors were always there ‘just the day before’ Bill came in for tea – remains a subject of debate. Can you add to this story – did anyone actually see cabinet members coming and going?
A story with a similarly intriguing political dimension related to us by Bill, concerned Whilton Locks where Bill used to collect the mail from a post box. Apparently, the 1964-1970 and 1974-1976 Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, would meet his private and political secretary, Marcia Williams there (later Lady Falkender from 1974). She was an enormously influential figure in his career, working alongside him between 1956 and 1983.
Bill was more than just a postie for Welton. He was an honorary member of the community, a cheerful friend to the then 246 households of Welton and someone who clearly won so much affection from residents that he featured in a whole page of Welton News and Views!
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