Losing 'world's oldest papergirl' record won't stop me, vows Shropshire gran Joyce, 83
She may have lost her title as the world's oldest papergirl – but it's not going to stop great-grandmother Joyce Pugh from carrying on delivering the Shropshire Star every night
Joyce, 83, has been usurped by 88-year-old Beryl Walker from Gloucester, who has been delivering her local paper for 35 years and has now been officially recognised as the oldest papergirl on the planet.
But for Joyce, who was bestowed the title and a place in the Guinness Book of Records two years ago, all that matters to her is doing the job she loves.
She has cycled more than 10,000 miles during her 44-year stint delivering the Shropshire Star in White Grit, near Minsterley – and has never taken a day off.
She said: "I wish Beryl good luck, I've been doing the paper round for such a long time now and it is still something I really look forward to.
"Partly the reason why I still deliver papers is because you get out and about and you meet people.
"At my age I don't want to sit about and do nothing. I do the paper round six days a week and I really enjoy it.
"Every now and then I think I should stop – but then who else would do it?
"No-one else would take over the role and then no-one would get their paper.
"I've still got my bike and I'll keep going out on my round for as long as I possibly can."
Mrs Pugh has battled through snow and ice to make sure the papers are delivered on time over the years, having taken over the job from her two children Beryl and Patrick.
She now has seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren, and said she never imagined her paper round would become such a central part of her life.
She said: "I just keep going really, it can be difficult with the weather. Only yesterday I went out and it poured down.
"But I have an anorak and you wrap up warm, it's OK really and I don't plan on giving up my round at all."
Mrs Pugh even juggled her regular round with a day job before she retired from Walters Trouser Factory, in Bishop's Castle.
From the royal weddings of Charles and Diana to the birth of future king Prince George, she has watched history unfold having delivered thousands of headlines to residents.
She said: "I've seen some changes over the years with delivering the papers. People tell me I'm the best papergirl but I just think I'm nosey. I like looking at people's gardens and having a chat about the day's news."
Mrs Pugh's previous place in the Guinness Book of Records came as a complete surprise to her, after her family put her forward for the prestigious recognition.
Speaking at the time, Mrs Pugh said: "My granddaughter was up and wanted to take photographs of me on the bike.
"I said, 'What do you want a photograph of me for?'
"Then my daughter wanted my birth certificate. I said, 'What's going on?'
"They said, 'You might find yourself in the Guinness Book of World Records'."
Both Joyce and Beryl are some way adrift of being the oldest person in the world delivering papers – that honour goes to 92-year-old Second World War veteran Jack Mews of Bishops Cleeve in Gloucestershire.
