This is why a Taunton postbox has been painted white

Those regularly walking through Taunton town centre will have noticed that a postbox in the town has been turned white in recent days.

The distinctive facelift has been given to the Royal Mail box outside Sharps on North Street.

It has left some who walk past it questioning why it has been changed from its usual red colour.

There is a very good reason for it, however, and the answer lies in cricket.

The postbox has been painted white with a stylised golden cricket bat, ball and stumps on the back of it to commemorate England winning the Cricket World Cup earlier this month .

To mark the first time that the country’s men’s and women’s cricket teams have been world champions at the same time, a mailbox in each of the 13 towns and cities across the country that hosted matches in both tournaments.

Another two will be painted in locations in England chosen by men’s captain Eoin Morgan and his female counterpart Heather Knight.

Taunton’s County Ground hosted three matches in the recent men’s World Cup, with a further seven games taking place during the women’s tournament in 2017.

The box will remain white for the next three months, while the gold plaque will remain on the back of it indefinitely.

It is the second time in recent months that the box has been painted for cricketing reasons.

The box was painted blue in the run-up to the World Cup to celebrate its status as a host town for the tournament.

Matt Parkes, managing director, stamps and collectibles at Royal Mail, said: “Cricket is truly coming home.

“We are delighted to celebrate the historic achievement of England and celebrate both the men’s and women’s winning teams in 2019 and in 2017, giving England both titles.”

Tom Harrison, England Cricket Board’s chief executive officer said: “It is a historic achievement for England to be both the men’s and women’s world champions

“We are very grateful to Royal Mail for honouring our victorious teams.”

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