Halloween topper plan foiled by new solar postbox

Lee-Anne Willis has been involved in many previous toppers, remaining anonymous until now

A new solar-powered postbox has foiled a crocheter's plans for a Halloween-themed postbox topper in her village.

Lee-Anne Willis, 45, said she was disappointed her Wicked-themed creation could no longer go on display in the centre of Farnsfield, Nottinghamshire.

She estimated since starting in 2021, she has created more than 60 different toppers for her village.

A Royal Mail spokesperson said they appreciated the passion which went into the toppers, but said there would still be many unaltered postboxes.

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Ms Willis started the hobby in 2021 and taught herself through watching YouTube.

She said the toppers placed on the postbox had "kind of become a bit of village life" and that the affected postbox in her village was the "most central one".

Royal Mail announced in August that it would roll out thousands of solar-powered postboxes across the UK.

These cannot accommodate postbox toppers because they block the solar panels on top.

The "central" postbox in Farnsfield is now wrapped in black plastic ahead of the installation of a new solar-powered version

Despite her disappointment, Ms Willis said it would not be the end of her work, or that of the "Yarnsfield" group she helped create, as she promised to continue decorating smaller postboxes.

"It will mean small projects, and I'm going to have to work out what I do with the garage full of all the other toppers that I've made," she said.

She also said despite the "sadness" at the new solar-powered box, she still appreciated Royal Mail.

"I'd just like to say thank you for letting us indulge in this crazy hobby for as long as we have," she added.

A Royal Mail spokesperson said it would be rolling out 67 solar-powered postboxes in Nottinghamshire, out of a total of 1,670.

"They offer another convenient way for customers to access Royal Mail's services," they added.

"We appreciate the passion and care that goes into the crocheting, knitting and decorating of toppers.

"With 115,000 postboxes across the UK, there are plenty that remain unaltered and that will remain the case in the future."