Pendle postbox toppers to stay as Barlick Yarn Fairies adapt designs to accommodate new solar panels installed by Royal Mail
A centuries old craft has triumphed over new technology in Pendle!
It was feared that the crocheted postbox toppers, that bring so much pleasure to residents in Barnoldswick, Colne and beyond, would disappear after the Royal Mail rolled out new solar panelled boxes across the UK.
The panels were introduced to power a new, digitally-activated drawer that accepts small parcels, alongside the traditional letter slot, modernizing iconic boxes to meet the e-commerce boom for 24/7 parcel drop-offs.
The toppers, lovingly created by a secret group known as the Barlick Yarn Fairies, have featured heavily in the press and social media and, in 2022, a topper in tribute to the Queen on her death was shared thousands of times and clocked up an incredible three million views.
Determined that the toppers would still be a part of the street scenery, marking different seasons and special occasions, the fairies adapted their design so it doesn’t block the solar panel. And here is their Christmas scene taking pride of place at Bolton Abbey, one of the fairies’ regular spots.