Close-knit community buys postbox to show toppers

Residents have come together to buy a 70-year-old postbox to allow a mystery knitter to once again display her detailed toppers.

Last November, the postbox located on High Street outside Syston Post Office, in Leicestershire, was upgraded to a solar-powered model meaning Syston Knitting Banxy (SKB) - who keeps her identity secret - could not put her creations on top.

But the community has now raised £3,500 and bought SKB her own postbox, which is being restored to its former glory.

The mystery knitter's representative, Fiona Henry, said SKB was "taken back and overwhelmed" by the support.

Royal Mail, which plans to introduce 3,500 solar-powered postboxes across the UK, changed the one on the High Street, in Syston, in November.

The new postboxes cannot accommodate toppers because the creations block the solar panels.

SKB, who has created about 120 toppers for the one in the town since 2019, said she was saddened by the decision.

"The main reason I have invested so much of my time in creating them is simply to make people smile," she said.

Jay Anderson, 48, who lives in the town, came up with the idea to buy SKB her own postbox and set up an online fundraising page.

"I thought it would be the perfect solution to the problem," he said.

"People have been very supportive. Some donations came from as far as America."

Anderson bought the 400kg (63st) postbox and now has the job of restoring it.

"We picked it up last week from Leeds. I had to forklift it into my van," he said.

"Suddenly it feels very real. I'm covered in red paint.

"It's been a whirlwind, but I'm loving it.

"It feels nice to be involved and to bring the joy back to Syston."

The full-time beekeeper, who enjoys building and restoring cars, said there were "patches of corrosion and tatty paintwork" on the old postbox, but the condition was okay.

He said he had started to "strip the paint back to the bare metal" to assess the corrosion, before treating the rust and painting it.

Anderson said he plans to invite people, who helped fundraise and had contributed towards the project, to paint the postbox "to be part of the legacy".

Then the postbox will need planning permission to be placed in an as-yet undisclosed location in the town, and work will take place to block it off to stop people trying to use it to send mail.

Henry, owner of Syston Town News, said SKB was "very emotional" when the target for the restoration was met.

"She was taken back and overwhelmed that so many people would do that for her," she said.

"She says 'I just do a bit of knitting', but we know it's more than that.

"I have always described her as an artist in wool.

"She very rarely uses a pattern. It comes straight from her head.

"I'm just in awe of her talent."

Henry said discussions were ongoing about the location of the restored postbox, which will be unveiled at the end of the month.

"People can't wait. They're excited to find out where it's going to be and to see SKB's first topper on the new postbox," she added.

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: "We're always delighted to see the creativity and community spirit that postbox toppers generate and we appreciate the effort and joy they bring to residents.

"We understand the wish to keep these displays alive — but it's important that any such installation is clearly identifiable as non‑operational. To avoid confusion for the public, the box must be clearly marked as decorative only.

"It is also important that the installation is carried out safely, securely, and in line with local permissions to ensure it is stable, responsibly sited, and poses no risk to the public."

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