Post box topper

A post box topper is a crochet or knitted hat or bonnet for a pillar box designed as a tribute, commemoration, or for public enjoyment. In the United Kingdom they have been used to pay tribute to NHS workers during the coronavirus pandemic, for Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee,^[1][2][3] and in September 2022 as a tribute upon her death.^[4][5]

A crocheted Christmas post box topper at Inverkip, Scotland, December 2020.

In June 2021, the Warrington Guardian reported that "yarn bombers" had placed numerous toppers or bonnets on post boxes in the area to mark local events or connections. Royal Mail said "We first began to see these toppers in 2012 over the festive season, although this soon spread to other key times of the year such as Easter. More recently, we have noticed decorations celebrating various frontline workers during the pandemic, including postal workers."^[6]

On Christmas Day 2022, a knitted post box topper created by a woman using the pseudonym Syston Knitting Banxy appeared on an edition of Coronation Street.^[7]

In March 2023, Daily Mail journalist Jan Moir branded those who make post box toppers as "Woolly Delinquents," a label that the topper community, also known as "Yarn Bombers", has embraced.^[8]

Gallery

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  Knitted Remembrance poppies in Walthamstow, Greater London, 2020
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  Halloween topper in Inverkip, Inverclyde, 2021
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  Platinum Jubilee crown in Pool, Cornwall, 2022
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  A football to celebrate England women's national football team winning the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 final, East Dulwich, Greater London, 2022
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  Depiction of Charles III for his coronation, Godalming, Surrey, 2023.

References

1. "Postboxes get knitted makeovers to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee". Heart. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
2. Remy Greasley (3 May 2022). "Mystery knitter finally revealed as town falls in love with latest postbox topper". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
3. Jones, Susan (29 July 2022). "Knitting and Everyday Meaning-Making". Textile: 1–13. doi:10.1080/14759756.2022.2092967. ISSN 1475-9756. S2CID 251192080.
4. "Queen Elizabeth II: Woolly postbox topper tributes appear across England". BBC News. 14 September 2022. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
5. "Knitted Queen postbox toppers appear in tribute around the UK". prima.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
6. "Royal Mail responds to post box bonnets by yarn bomber". Warrington Guardian. 17 June 2021. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
7. "Syston Knitting Banxy postbox topper used in Coronation Street". BBC News. Jan 5, 2023. Retrieved Jan 5, 2023.
8. Kirka, Danica (30 April 2023). "'Woolly delinquents' celebrate Charles' coronation in yarn". nationalpost.com. National Post / Postmedia Network Inc. Retrieved 2 June 2023.

External links

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Post box toppers.

• "Postbox toppers | The Townswomen's Guilds". the-tg.com. Retrieved 2022-09-14.