Why is our Post Box on High Street is Changing
Royal Mail who owns the posts boxes across the UK are in the process of changing them to take parcels as well as letters. So they are going to install a solar panel on the top to enable people to post small parcels in the post box.
What this means for our Post Box on High Street is that our amazing Syston Knitting Banxy (SKB) won’t be able to cover the solar panel on the top of the box, so concern has developed across not just Syston but everyone who follows her fantastic creations.
You may have seen this on ITV Central News and also the BBC as her creations across the 117 toppers she has created have brought a smile to peoples faces on days when bringing joy is needed.
A lot of the toppers over the six and a half years that SKB has been creating them have been raised a lot of money for a variety of Charities both local and national via silent auctions, calendars and donations. The total so far of donations raised is over £5,000.
She is waiting to see what happens with the post box but she did say:
“Firstly, I would like to thank the Royal Mail for having embraced the ‘topper’ culture all over the country. When I created the first back in 2019, whilst over 99% of people loved it, there was the odd one calling it out as ‘Graffiti’. Those voices quickly quietened with the popularity of the toppers and especially when they were welcomed by the Royal Mail.
But it is sad that this particular postbox is to be ‘upgraded’. It has upset so many locals who look forward to seeing the toppers, because it is removing something that cheered them up, on a regular basis. Indeed, the main reason I have invested so much of my time in creating them is simply to make people smile, in what sometimes seems a bit of a gloomy world.
Its central position was perfect as it also captured the imagination and the excitement of the children on their way to school. It became a means to educate and celebrate, and could combat nervousness on first days of term. The toppers addressed respect (my Remembrance toppers) and they addressed the need to care for people and animals (various charity toppers and awareness topics, including the very last topper that I created for Children in Need).
The toppers also celebrated cultural events, such as Christmas and Chinese New Year.
So yes, I am sad because I know that it has saddened so many.
It’s not the end of my knitting (and a yarn-bomber never discloses when and where they may hit next ?) but I’d love a Christmas miracle … for the Royal Mail to backtrack and choose another postbox instead, (time is running out) and to give back to the people of Syston their extra little reason to smile because not everyone has something to smile about.”
So, we all hope that she finds a way of continuing to create her amazing pieces of art. As soon as she has we will let you all know via our facebook page.
So, watch this space, who knows where her artwork will appear next.
