Get a new base and location for the Postbox Toppers

POSTBOX TOPPER TAKES REFUGE IN THE PUB

The popular knitted "toppers" that have decorated the postbox in Claygate's High Street for several years have been forced to move, following the installation of a solar-powered box. But they haven't gone far: the nearby Hare and Hounds has provided a new temporary home.

The toppers began appearing in 2022 at the start of the war in Ukraine, when several members of Claygate Women's Institute knitted simple sunflowers, sewn on to a crochet base to cover the top of the postbox. From there, they went on to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, Wimbledon tennis, the sad passing of the Queen, and the Coronation in 2023.

The Wi has also marked the seasons of the year, Christmas, Remembrance Days and the most recent for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, VE day, the Claygate Flower Show, the England Lionesses football team and the latest for the Women's Rugby World Cup.

Tori Russell is one of the prime movers She said: "We have had so many compliments and especially when, with the help of my husband Dave, we've put the toppers up outside Matthew Pierce's estate agents. People have stopped to chat, cars winding their windows down to thank us, it's been so lovely.

"The postbox is now no longer available due to its modernisation with a solar panelled roof. But Nick Stafford, who runs the Hare and Hounds, kindly took the topper into the pub to display while the Rugby World Cup was playing." There are plans for a permanent home for the toppers on The Green.

A Royal Mail spokesperson added: "We appreciate the passion and care that goes into the crocheting, knitting and decorating of toppers. But our new postboxes offer another convenient way for customers in Claygate and elsewhere to access Royal Mail's services. We are rolling out 3,500 solar-powered 'postboxes of the future'.

"The new design allows customers to send and return labelled parcels up to the size a shoebox-through a postbox for the first time. Customers can also request proof of posting, and track their parcel, using the Royal Mail app."

The postbox makeover includes: a barcode scanner that opens a drawer to place parcels, a solar panel, positioned due south for optimal sunlight, to power the scanner and drawer, and a separate slot for letters.

September 2025

Matters for information purposes only.

There had been a discussion regarding the Post Box toppers with Cllr Holt and the Manager of the Hare and Hounds Nick along with Tori Russell from the Ladies WI to be able to find a new home as the box outside Matthew Pierce Estate Agents is now not a viable site. The Clerk to contact Nick and Tori to arrange a meeting to discuss the various options to be able to keep this going in the village. This was Proposed by Cllr Holt and seconded by Cllr Burns. Carried unanimously. ACTION – The Clerk to contact Paul’s Gardening Services to see what the possibilities are of adding a bird bath or something similar onto the Green in the Village. C㉕062 Peter Whitehead had reported that everything was in place for the latest edition of the Courier and that proofreading was needed. Cllr Collon would, as before, take the lead in this. ACTION – Cllr Collon to organise proofreading of the draft Courier by Councillors. C㉕063.

(extract from Parish Council meeting, 25th September 2025, item 23)