July 2024 – The first CIIIR postbox is unveiled live on BBC Breakfast
BBC1 covered the unveiling of the first Charles III postbox extensively in its breakfast programme on Friday 12th July. Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty introduced John Maguire who was reporting live from the High Street in Great Cambourne.
JULY 2024 – FIRST CIIIR POSTBOX ENTERS SERVICE
The first post box with the CIIIR cipher of the new king entered service at 8.00am today (12th July). The box was unveiled on the High Street, Great Cambourne, by pupils from The Vine Inter-Church Primary School in Upper Cambourne and HM Lord-Lieutenant of...
APRIL 2024 – “BEGINNER’S LETTER BOXES” BOOKLET
The Letter Box Study Group has added a "Beginner's Letter Boxes" booklet to the Welcome Pack that new Members receive when joining. It explains how to spot some key characteristics which will help them identify some of the many types of letter box they may encounter....
FEBRUARY 2024 – WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PILLAR BOX AND A LETTER BOX?
This question was answered recently in The Times. The newspaper’s archive editor Rose Wild writes a weekly feedback column on issues from its Letters page, and on 27th January 2024 we were very pleased to read the following: “I was too quick off the mark last week...
POST BOXES GO LIVE ON FIVE
THE BBC’S Radio Five Live dedicated an entire hour to a detailed discussion of post boxes on 28 November 2023. Hosted by Colin Murray, two LBSG members contributed to the show. Arthur Reeder and Robert Cole spoke along side Chris Taft from the Postal Museum and Colin...
DECEMBER 2023 – SINGING CHRISTMAS POSTBOXES SERENADE THE PUBLIC
For the first time since 2020, letter boxes specially decorated for Christmas have been unveiled by Royal Mail. The postboxes will surprise and serenade members of the public when they post their cards and letters at four chosen locations across the UK. Painted red...
JUNE 2023 – CRAFTY ROYAL FANS USE THEIR IMAGINATION TO THE FULL ON LETTER BOXES CELEBRATING THE CORONATION
In the weeks leading up to the Coronation of King Charles III on 6th May, many communities made their local letter boxes look as royal as possible with bespoke knitted and crocheted toppers, often featuring the King, Queen, and the crown jewels. According to Royal...
MAY 2023 – ‘LIVERPOOL SPECIAL’ LOOKING EVEN MORE SPECIAL FOR EUROVISION
The United Kingdom is hosting the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of the 2022 winners, Ukraine. Liverpool was chosen to be host city, with the Grand Final taking place in the Liverpool M&S Bank Arena next to the River Mersey on Saturday 13 May and...
MAY 2023 – SPECIAL POSTBOXES TO CELEBRATE THE CORONATION
Royal Mail celebrated the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla with four specially decorated letter boxes across the UK. The four postboxes were unveiled in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and County Down in Northern Ireland. The box in London is situated...
SEPTEMBER 2022 – WHAT DOES THE NEW KING MEAN FOR POST BOXES?
All UK kings and queens since the postbox was introduced in 1852 have had their royal cipher displayed on postboxes installed during their reign. But getting a postbox ready for a new monarch is not always straightforward! Edward VIII boxes were still being installed...
SEPTEMBER 2022 – TAKE A LETTER: THE POST BOXES OF GOSPORT
The Letter Box Study Group was recently asked to help in the production of a virtual tour around Gosport looking at the variety of post boxes in the town, as part of Heritage Open Days. https://www.gosportheritage.co.uk/take-a-letter-the-post-boxes-of-gosport/