Woman's shock after finally receiving letter 12 years late (From Bucks Free Press)

Woman's shock after finally receiving letter 12 years late

12:10pm Sunday 1st July 2012 in News By Simon Farr

A LOT has happened in the last 12 years – the world was changed forever by the 9/11 attacks which sparked the ‘war on terror’.

Euros changed hands for the first time, America elected its first black president, the iPhone was born, social media took over our lives and we have witnessed half-a-dozen failures by the England football team.

So imagine Lesley Myring’s surprise when she was forced to pay £1.50 to collect a letter from the High Wycombe sorting office last week which has been in postal limbo for all that time.

The letter dated May 24, 2000, was sent to her by her firm BM Trada to confirm the business support manager had been booked on a first aid course with the Red Cross.

The envelope also contained a compliments note from a colleague, stating that they hoped she had enjoyed her holiday.

The London Road resident said: “I don’t even remember where I went on holiday that year, let alone if I went on that course it was that long ago.

“It was only when I got home that I opened the letter and noticed the date, I had to look twice, I couldn’t believe it. Who knows where it has been all this time.”

The past 12 years has been just as eventful for Mrs Myring. Her sons Richard and James have both married and she has two grandchildren.

She added: “I was shocked and have found it all very amusing but I would like the Royal Mail to reimburse me for the postage charge and my parking fee – I wouldn’t call it very good customer service.”

Royal Mail spokesman Valerie Antoine apologised to Mrs Myring and said the firm would be liaising with her to sort out the 12-year mix up.

She added: “It is extremely unlikely that this item of mail was in our system all this time.

“We handle 59 million items every day and the vast majority arrive safely and on time.

"We check all our delivery offices and machines every day to ensure they are clear of mail.

“The most likely explanation is that this item was probably put back into our system recently.”

The Royal Mail has since sent a letter of apology and six first-class stamps to Mrs Myring.