Mystery knitter 'sad' about solar postbox plans

Syston Knitting Banxy has been decorating the postbox since 2019

A mystery knitter has said she "would love a Christmas miracle" after plans were revealed to replace a postbox she decorates with a new solar-powered model.

Syston Knitting Banxy has been creating detailed toppers, including Remembrance Day tributes and a piece for King Charles III's coronation, for a postbox in Syston, Leicestershire, since 2019.

She said she was sad there would no longer be space for her knitted displays, but has vowed to carry on her creations elsewhere.

A spokesperson for Royal Mail said they appreciated the "passion and care" which went into the toppers, adding there would still be many unaltered postboxes.

The postbox will be replaced with a new solar-powered one

Royal Mail announced plans to introduce 3,500 solar-powered postboxes across the UK in August.

The solar panels on top of the postboxes power a digitally-activated drawer, allowing people to deposit small parcels.

They cannot accommodate postbox toppers because they block the solar panels.

Syston Knitting Banxy - who keeps her identity secret - thanked Royal Mail for "welcoming" postbox toppers across the country, but said locals were also "saddened" with their decision to change the postbox on the town's High Street.

"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," she said.

"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."

Syston Knitting Banxy created a topper for Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee in 2022

Syston Knitting Banxy said she would carry on her creations elsewhere and asked Royal Mail to reconsider plans to replace the postbox.

"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," she added.

"And to give back to the people of Syston their extra little reason to smile because not everyone has something to smile about."

A Royal Mail spokesperson said the new postboxes "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."