Skip to content

Yorkshire post box knitted toppers mark Remembrance weekend

Karen Clayton SettleKaren Clayton
This topper has appeared on a post box in the village of Settle, North Yorkshire

Crocheted and knitted post box toppers marking Remembrance Day on Sunday have appeared around Yorkshire.

Many include red poppies to remember those who lost their lives during war, while others include purple to remember animals that died in service and white ones focus on peace.

Some of the toppers have been produced by individuals, while many have been created by knitting groups.

The toppers have received many likes, shares and comments on social media.

Louise Taylor Aircraft topperLouise Taylor
The local parish council asked Louise Taylor to make this topper for a village near Doncaster

Louise Taylor's topper adorns a post box in her village near Doncaster.

She said the first one she had crocheted was during the Covid lockdowns "to cheer people up".

Her Remembrance Day design incorporates an aircraft and a saluting soldier.

"This one I was asked to make by the local parish council," she said.

"Obviously I said yes as I love to crochet. I've been able to crochet since I was six as my nanna taught me.

"I did the design myself, but used patterns from Etsy. I just love to share my work and make people smile."

Alison Richardson Topper on Barnsley post boxAlison Richardson
A ring of poppies surround a helmet in Alison Richardson's topper in the town of Hoyland

Meanwhile, Alison Richardson, from Hoyland near Barnsley, said she was inspired to make her topper after seeing ones in a newspaper a few years ago.

She made one to mark the recent reopening of the post office in the South Yorkshire town, but her Remembrance Day design features a Tommy-style helmet surrounded by a ring of poppies.

Ms Richardson said: "This one I have made myself, but others that I've made in the past l've had contributions from Hoyland's Knitty Natters, which is a group of ladies that meet up once a week and share their love of knitting and crocheting."

Andrew Lofthouse Poppy topper on York post boxAndrew Lofthouse
Former soldier Andrew Lofthouse made this one in York

Veteran Andrew Lofthouse produced a wreath of poppies that adorns a post box in York.

He said being a former soldier, the knitted artwork "means a lot to me".

"I attended the Remembrance Day Parade last year but my health is not good, so I wanted to celebrate the day by making the topper," he said.

"I have previously had one with bees and flowers on it, which many people saw and it brought a smile to their faces, which is a good thing in today's economic state."

Presentational grey line

Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].