Halloween topper plan foiled by new solar post box

A new solar-powered post box has foiled a crocheter’s plans for a Halloween-themed post box 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 that 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 post boxes.

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

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

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 post boxes.

“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 also said that 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 post boxes in Nottinghamshire, out of a total of 1,670 post boxes.

“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 post boxes across the UK, there are plenty that remain unaltered and that will remain the case in the future.”