1 of Southport’s most recognisable posties will play a 1st class role when The Jolly Postman Book Trail launches this weekend!
Keith Naylor has been delivering post in Southport for the past 27 years.
As 1 of the town centre's postmen, he's spent nearly 3 decades delivering letters, meeting residents and becoming part of the daily life of the community he serves.
This October Half Term, between:- 24 October and 31 October 2026, he is lending his voice to a fun interactive Postbox, which is sure to deliver huge fun for families as part of the new Books Alive! festival.
Make CIC artists, Xyleia Creative Design, Ian Currie and Venya Krutikov, have created:- ‘The Postbox’ installation, bringing the storybook scene to life through a vibrant, illustrated postcard featuring the book's beloved characters and iconic elements.
The installation is inspired by The Jolly Postman or Other People's Letters by Janet and Allan Ahlberg.
You can find it on Market Street in Southport town centre, to the side of Southport Market.
Designed as a prime selfie spot and hands-on experience, visitors are invited to step directly into the scene to pose for photos and drop their own letters into a whimsical, talking postbox that responds as they mail their notes.
The voice you will be able to hear is that of Southport postie Keith Naylor.
Having spent almost three decades based at Southport Delivery Office, Keith has worked routes across the heart of the town, from Lord Street to Hoghton Street, getting to know generations of local residents along the way.
Known for his friendly chats and familiar face on the round, Keith says the best part of the job has always been the people.
Now approaching retirement, he's lending his voice to the talking postbox as part of The Jolly Postman Book Trail for Books Alive!, helping bring a little extra magic to Southport town centre this October.
Keith joined Southport Delivery Office in the late 1990s and remembers the camaraderie of those early days on the job.
He said:- "When I 1st started, we'd begin at 5.15am and all cycle into work down Cambridge Road. There'd be loads of us going in together. I have some great memories from those early mornings."
Over the years, Keith has covered routes across Southport town centre, working different rounds from Lord Street to Hoghton Street and getting to know countless residents and businesses along the way.
While delivering the mail has always been important, it's the people that have made the job special.
Keith said:- "My favourite thing about working in Southport is meeting people on my round. I just love talking to people. It doesn't take much to stop and have a chat, and it might make someone's day. Some people might not speak to anyone else that day, so it's nice to take the time to see how they are."
The sense of camaraderie among his colleagues is another highlight.
Keith added:- "The banter in the sorting office is brilliant. We're always taking the mickey out of each other. After all these years it's still 1 of the things I enjoy most."
Now working part-time as he approaches retirement, Keith is taking on a very different postal role by becoming the voice of the talking postbox on The Jolly Postman Book Trail, as part of the Books Alive! programme.
Keith said:- "I was really pleased to get involved and help bring Books Alive! to Southport. I'll definitely be bringing my family down to see it. I'm not sure my 3-year-old granddaughter will recognise my voice, but my nine-year-old grandson probably will! It's great to be part of something that brings families into the town centre and encourages children to enjoy stories and books. I'm proud to play a small part in it."
Combining playful visual art with engaging audio feedback, the Postbox offers guests of all ages a memorable, immersive moment on the trail.
You will also be able to find other The Jolly Postman-themed installations at Marble Place, Wayfarers Arcade on Lord Street, the window of the former Beales department store on Lord Street, Waterstones bookshop, Town Hall Gardens and Mermaid Gardens.
There are 9 large-scale story installations to discover from:- 24 October to 31 October 2026, 10am - 4pm daily.
Inspired by the beloved children's book:- 'The Jolly Postman or Other People's Letters' by Janet and Allan Ahlberg, The Jolly Postman Book Trail will transform Southport town centre into a living storybook, inviting families to follow his journey as he delivers letters to favourite fairytale characters.
Make CIC has been commissioned to work with artists from across the Liverpool City Region to create the nine installations and bring memorable characters and moments from the story to life.
The installations can be visited in any order, so you can create your own storybook adventure through Southport town centre - you can view the map here.