Postbox topper for Remembrance 'goes viral'

1 hour ago

Kate JusticeHerefordshire

A knitted postbox topper, honouring military personnel has 'gone viral' with messages of appreciation from Australia and Canada

BBC A group of military personnel in uniform, made from knitted wool, sit on top of a royal mail red postbox - some are in wheelchairs being pushed by others walking. There is a wooden fence and a green hedgerow behind the postbox. — A knitted postbox topper, honouring military personnel has 'gone viral' with messages of appreciation from Australia and Canada

Credited with bringing some brightness to difficult times, postbox toppers have long had a cult following, with the knitted or crocheted decorations especially gaining popularity during the COVID-19 lockdown periods.

One recent design, in honour of Remembrance Day has put the small village of Allensmore, in Herefordshire, on the international map.

Depicting uniformed military personnel in attendance at Remembrance services, the knitted three dimensional art has caught the attention of toppers fans across the world.

It's the work of Linda Jones, who said the viral reaction from online had been "tremendous".

She added: "The likes [for the topper] on Facebook have been amazing, not just on the topper site but on other sites as well. The comments have been wonderful and they're from all over the world, [from] Australia and Canada.

"I've also had some from veterans as well, which I think has been really touching, really lovely."

Jones explained the inspiration came from watching veterans attend memorial services on television.

"The Remembrance Parade, seeing the soldiers being pushed, you know, obviously, World War II soldiers are getting fewer now, and they still go to the Remembrance Parade in a wheelchair, and I just think it's amazing."

Linda Jones makes toppers for a variety of different seasons - this one had it's first outing last month for Halloween

A woman with close cropped hair and glasses is wearing a patterned purpke and red shirt and a crocheted remembrance poppy. She is sitting in a brown armchair next to a large knitted three dimensional halloween art piece. — Linda Jones makes toppers for a variety of different seasons - this one had it's first outing last month for Halloween

Jones said she caught the bug for making toppers after creating one for the Coronation of King Charles in 2023.

"I've always enjoyed craft, and it was Prince Charles, when he became king, the coronation. I did a crown, and it had an amazing response on Facebook, so I was absolutely hooked after that."

Bringing smiles to people's faces is a big part of what motivates her - with people stopping her in the street to ask what's coming next.

It's not just about the knitting. For Jones, structure and weather resilience is key.

She said: "A lot of people can knit, but I think you've got to get it sort of stuffed right, to keep the figures upright, to keep them the right shape."

Linda Jones' Nativity Topper was another big hit in Allensmore last Christmas and is getting another showing this year in Bagwyllydiart where she now lives

Several knitted characters, wearing nativity costumes are propped up on a yellow base. There is a knitted camel and a knitted sheep in the forefront and towards the back, there is a knitted brown manger with a sleeping baby. — Linda Jones' Nativity Topper was another big hit in Allensmore last Christmas and is getting another showing this year in Bagwyllydiart where she now lives

They also need to be able to cope in the great British winters, especially the ones celebrating the festive season.

Jones said: "What I like about mine is that they come off as good as they went on. So even in bad weather, the wind, the rain, they still stay tidy so I put a lot of wire in mine. I also put a lot of metal supports to keep everything stood upright."

There's no sign of the craze or popularity slowing down, with more Christmas designs on the way, as well as one in support of the Cats Protection charity, which has a base in the village.

"I've got lots of projects on the go, I knit what I fancy. But yeah, I just really enjoy crafting."

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