Even though email and instant messaging have taken over from writing and posting letters, the UK still has around 115,000 working post boxes of a multitude of designs and ages. Nowadays these boxes often get ignored, and often as a result end up unloved and neglected. I was sent the images above - click on the photo to see a larger version - by a reader who wishes to remain anonymous. They write:- "The attached photo is of my local post box on Woolwich Road SE2 between the junctions with Knee Hill and New Road. I believe it to be the most scabby I've ever seen, although the one in Westergate Road runs it a close second ! I wonder if any readers can top it. Perhaps we can shame the Post Office into doing some restoration before it needs replacing considering the high postage costs". Can you name and shame a scabby pillar box near you? Email me at hugh.neal@gmail.com. For centuries, the iconic red post boxes have been a symbol of British heritage, a tangible link to the past, and a beacon of communication. However, in recent years, these often overlooked pieces of history have been disappearing from the streets of the United Kingdom, leaving many to wonder about the reasons behind their decline. The concept of the post box was introduced in the UK in the 1850s by Anthony Trollope, a novelist and senior postal official. The first experimental pillar box was installed in St. Helier, Jersey, and later, in 1853, the first roadside cast-iron post boxes were introduced in mainland Britain. Over the years, these post boxes became an integral part of the country's postal system, serving as convenient and accessible points for sending and receiving mail. Most traditional British pillar boxes produced after 1905 are made of cast iron and are cylindrical. Other shapes have been used: the hexagonal Penfolds, rectangular boxes that have not proved to be popular, and an oval shape that is used mainly for the large "double aperture" boxes most often seen in large cities like London and Dublin. In recent years boxes manufactured in glass-fibre or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic have been produced that do not follow these general outlines. These are for use in secure indoor locations such as supermarkets. Cast iron pillar box construction comprises three distinct main parts:- The cap sits on top of the carcass and is usually bolted down from inside. Some designs after 1965 do not have a separate cap. Caps can also be fitted with a separate bracket, normally of cast iron, which supports a Post Office Direction sign (POD) indicating the nearest Post Office. The door contains the aperture or posting slot. It is hinged, should display the royal cypher of the monarch who was reigning at the time of installation, and may also be fitted with a collection plate showing the times of collection from that location. It is fitted with a brass security lock on the inside. The contractor for these locks has been the Chubb Locks company for many years. They are five-lever locks and each one can exhibit more than 6,500 combinations. There is no skeleton key for these locks. Each post box has its own set of keys and postal workers have to carry large bunches with them when clearing the boxes. The carcass or body of the box supports the door and cap, and may protrude substantially down below ground level. This provides security and stability to the pillar box. There is a wire work cage inside to prevent mail falling out when the door is opened, a hinged letter chute to allow mail to fall into the collecting bag or sack, and a serrated hand-guard to prevent unauthorised tampering with the mail through the aperture. To mark the 2012 Summer Olympics, Royal Mail, Isle of Man Post and Guernsey Post painted a pillar box gold in the home town of each Great Britain team member who won a gold medal, as well as a demonstration model near Westminster Abbey. A website mapping the gold boxes was provided. The boxes, originally intended to be repainted to the traditional red in due course, will remain gold painted permanently. In September 2020 four pillar boxes were painted black, with gold tops to mark Black History Month in October. They are located in London, Glasgow, Cardiff and Belfast. The London postbox, in Acre Lane, Brixton, features the painting "Queuing at the RA" by Yinka Shonibare. The Glasgow postbox, in Byres Road, features footballer and Army officer Walter Tull. The Cardiff postbox, in King Edward VII Avenue, depicts Mary Seacole and the Bedford Street pillar, in Belfast depicts Sir Lenny Henry, a stand-up comedian, actor, singer, writer and television presenter and co-founder of the Comic Relief charity. To reflect the iconic nature of the British post box and the heritage attached to them; out-of-use post boxes (especially older models) are rarely removed and instead painted black and sealed to signify to members of the public the box is no longer in use. Examples of 'black post boxes' can be seen outside former post-offices and in conservation areas. The number of pillar boxes and other post boxes that are being take out of service is markedly increasing, for a number of reasons:- Digital Revolution: With the advent of digital communication, traditional letter-writing has taken a backseat. Emails, instant messaging, and social media have transformed the way people connect with each other. As a result, the volume of physical mail has drastically reduced, leading to a reduced need for the traditional post box. Postal Service Modernisation: The Royal Mail and other postal services have undergone significant modernisation efforts to streamline their operations. This includes the consolidation of mail collection points and the optimisation of mail routes. As a part of this process, many less frequently used post boxes have been decommissioned to cut costs and improve efficiency. Postal Services Funding: Declining revenue from traditional mail services has put pressure on postal services to allocate resources more efficiently. The maintenance and collection of post boxes can be costly, and prioritising digital alternatives have been deemed necessary to sustain postal operations. Urbanisation and Changes in Lifestyles: The shift towards urban living and the fast-paced modern lifestyle have altered the way people communicate. Residents in urban areas often have access to numerous post offices and mailboxes, making public post boxes less essential. Vandalism and Theft: Sadly, vandalism and theft are also factors contributing to the decline in post boxes. Some post boxes, especially in secluded or less supervised locations, have become targets for malicious activities. While the decline of UK post boxes may be a consequence of technological advancements and changing consumer habits, it is essential to acknowledge the cultural and historical significance they hold. These post boxes are not merely objects of nostalgia; they represent a tangible link to the past, embodying the sense of community and connection that was once fostered through written communication. Preservation efforts have been undertaken by various organisations and local communities to protect post boxes with historical value. Some post boxes have been granted protected status as listed buildings, ensuring their continued presence as valued landmarks. It strikes me that the pillar box photographed at the start of this article could definitely do with restoration before it becomes too far gone to rescue. If you know of other pillar boxes in the local area that need restoring, please let me know, and if possible send me a photograph of the scabby post box as well. Send your submissions to me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.
The woes with BBC national and local radio continue. Only days after the BBC announced that listening figures to BBC Radio 2 had dropped by a million since they got rid of Ken Bruce, who at the BBC hosted the country's most popular radio show. It was subsequently revealed that BBC Radio Kent has also lost a substantial number of listeners. BBC Radio Kent has seen its audience fall to just 132,200 listeners in the latest official figures released by broadcast market research organisation Rajar. The BBC has been hit by strikes and protests from across the political spectrum over its ongoing moves to reduce local radio content and remove a substantial amount of online local journalism. The BBC proposals mean their Kent station will only have eight hours of dedicated local content every weekday. These changes will also extend throughout Saturdays and Sunday mornings, with a national 'all-England' programme taking over from 10pm onwards every day, and from 2pm on Sundays. BBC Local Radio has long been a crucial part of the UK's media landscape, providing communities with informative, entertaining, and diverse programming. However, like many traditional media platforms, it faces a range of challenges in the current digital era. One of the most significant issues facing BBC Local Radio is financial constraints. As the broadcasting industry adapts to a digital landscape, traditional media outlets, including local radio, have seen a decline in advertising revenue for the commercial stations and public funding. BBC Local Radio stations operate on tight budgets, which often hinder their ability to invest in talent, equipment, and local content. The rise of digital media and streaming platforms has transformed the way people consume content. Audiences are now more accustomed to on-demand, personalized content accessible on their smartphones and tablets. Traditional radio's linear broadcasting model struggles to compete with the convenience and flexibility offered by digital platforms. The shift in media consumption habits has contributed to declining audience numbers for BBC Local Radio. Younger generations, in particular, show less interest in traditional radio, opting for online streaming services and social media for their information and entertainment needs. BBC Local Radio plays a crucial role in connecting communities, providing a platform for local voices and issues. However, the challenges it faces in the current media landscape demand careful consideration and strategic action. By addressing financial constraints, adapting to changing media consumption habits, targeting diverse audiences, investing in local content, and embracing digital innovation, BBC Local Radio can overcome these challenges and continue to thrive as a vital source of information, entertainment, and community engagement in the UK. It would seem that the BBC currently are doing the exact opposite - cutting local content - when in reality they should be increasing it. Television has similar problems to radio - the proportion of people watching any traditional TV broadcast in a given week has declined from 83% in 2021 to 79% in 2022, the sharpest fall on record, according to Ofcom’s annual Media Nations report. This figure is even lower among 16 to 24-year-olds, with just 54% of young people watching any live television. The average Briton now consumes four hours and 28 minutes of video every day, with just two hours spent watching traditional live television broadcasts. Instead, video sharing platforms such as YouTube and TikTok are increasingly eating into audience time. Yih-Choung Teh, group director of strategy and research at Ofcom, said in a Guardian interview:- “Today’s viewers and listeners have an ‘all-you-can-eat’ buffet of broadcasting and online content to choose from, and there’s more competition for our attention than ever. Our traditional broadcasters are seeing steep declines in viewing to their scheduled, live programmes – including among typically loyal older audiences – and soaps and news programmes don’t have the mass audience pulling power they once had. But despite this, public service broadcasters are still unrivalled in bringing the nation together at important cultural and sporting moments, while their on-demand players are seeing positive growth as they digitalise their services to meet audience needs.”
The photo above was taken in Erith during the summer of 1973 - almost exactly fifty years ago. It shows the location of the Wheatley Hotel - a Railway Hotel. Nowadays the site is occupied by a large roundabout with the De Luci Fish Sculpture on it. A Railway Hotel was a combination of a pub downstairs, and a bed and breakfast upstairs; almost all railway stations at one stage or other had a railway hotel in close proximity - in this case, Erith Station was just across the road. In the time before the invention of the car, people travelling around the country would often need to break their train journey overnight. A room in a railway hotel was cheaper than a full hotel, as the features tended to be more basic, but they were convenient - they fulfilled the same function as a modern Premier Inn - cheap and clean, at least in most cases. On top of this, local residents would use the pub located on the ground floor. I understand that the Wheatley Hotel was a pretty lively place on a Friday and Saturday night. One can also see the still working dock cranes in the background; they were located in the Erith Deep Water Wharf - what is now the site of Morrison's supermarket. The cranes were part of the pier, and were used to unload heavy cargo from moored vessels. Historically cargo which came on ships too large to make in to docklands or the Pool of London were unloaded at Erith. One of the regular cargoes landed at the Deep Water Wharf were the huge rolls of newsprint, which arrived from paper mills in Sweden. They were then taken by lorry to the Europa Industrial Estate in Fraser Road, where they were then stored before being taken by road to Fleet Street, where the national newspapers were primarily then still based. To the left of the photo one can see Bosworth House - one of the high rise flats that had recently been built on the river front. If you click on the black and white image to enlarge it, you can make out the scaffolding still surrounding the then newly built block. Back then it was a council block; nowadays many of the flats in the tower are privately owned, and it is quite a desirable location, with amazing views across the River Thames.
Bexley Fire Brigade Monthly Update - From Jim Morford, Borough Commander for Bexley, London Fire Brigade:- "I am sure most of you will be hoping to see some sunshine soon, particularly as the school summer holidays have started. The recent rain has certainly helped our fire crews have a quieter July compared to the very hot wildfires we were attending this time last year. But even with all the rain we have had, Firefighters have still been attending wildfires, the most notable was a fire on the border of Bexley and Bromley boroughs on the grounds of a golf course and children’s nursery. The fire in Sandy Lane started in long grass and despite a quick attendance from Sidcup fire station quickly spread, aided by the wind, to some of the nursery’s buildings. Additional fire engines from Bexley, Erith, Bromley, Orpington, and surrounding boroughs attended. In total 12 fire engines were required to bring the fire under control, firefighters managed to stop the fire from spreading to the main school building when embers caught in the wind and started to ignite part of its roof, meaning the nursery will be able to carry on operating. You can read more about this incident using the following link
https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/incidents/2023/july/fire-at-childcare-centre-orpington/
You may have read the reports of the very sad case of a young 5-year-old drowning at a holiday site in Cornwall this week. Sadly, many people get into difficulty when swimming whilst on holiday, 46% of drownings occur in the summer months and 1% occur in swimming pools. Please read the safety tips below and enjoy a safe holiday.
• When visiting new places, take time to review safety notices. Find out what local signs and flags mean.
• Always look out for potential hazards and warn members of your group to avoid possible risks.
• Do not swim near or dive from rocks, piers, breakwater, and coral.
• Never use inflatables in open water – although they look fun, inflatable water toys can quickly get caught in the wind and be blown out to sea.
• Take extra care when intoxicated around water and never enter the water whilst under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
• Stay Together, Swim with others. It’s safer to swim in pairs or groups who can help should anyone get into trouble in the water.
• Always keep children under the constant supervision of a capable adult.
For more information about keeping you and your family safe whilst enjoying the water please use the following link. https://www.rlss.org.uk/"
Last week I reported on the forthcoming closure of The Works store in Erith Riverside Shopping Centre, and how the number of recently closed retail outlets in the shopping centre could affect its' viability. This follows the closure of Barclays Bank, Argos, Mabocino, Shoe Zone and Wilco. News broke on Thursday that Wilco is on the verge of bankruptcy. Wilco, a well-established retail chain known for its diverse product range and competitive prices, is facing a period of uncertainty as stories circulate about the possibility of the company going into administration. Wilko Ltd., formerly Wilkinson Cash Stores (1930–1941) and Wilkinson Hardware Stores (1941–2014), is a British high-street retail chain which sells homewares and household goods. The company was founded in Leicester by James Kemsey Wilkinson in 1930, and remains in the ownership of the founding family. The founder's son, Tony Wilkinson, joined the company as a branch manager in 1960 and succeeded his father as chairman in 1972, retiring in June 2005. He was succeeded by his daughter, Lisa Wilkinson, and his niece, Karin Swann. In 2014, Karin Swann sold her family's 50% holding in the business to Lisa Wilkinson. In August 2023 the company, in financial difficulty, filed a notice of intention to call in administrators after failing to find a buyer, putting 12,000 jobs at risk. It had borrowed £40 milion the previous year, cut jobs and restructured its leadership following a cash squeeze after incurring a loss. This potential development could have significant ramifications for both the company's employees and the UK retail landscape as a whole. For decades, Wilco has been a prominent fixture in the UK's retail sector, operating a network of stores that offer an extensive range of products, from automotive parts and accessories to household items and pet supplies. The company's commitment to providing quality products at affordable prices has garnered a loyal customer base over the years. However, despite its popularity, the retail industry has experienced seismic shifts, with online shopping and the rise of e-commerce giants posing significant challenges to traditional brick-and-mortar retailers like Wilco. Several indicators have emerged over the past year, suggesting that Wilco is facing financial difficulties. Sluggish sales growth, intensified competition, and rising operational costs have strained the company's revenue streams, eroding profit margins and impacting its ability to stay afloat. Economic disruptions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic may have further exacerbated the company's financial troubles, as restrictions and lock downs led to reduced footfall and sales for physical stores. Wilco's management team has been actively seeking measures to address the company's financial woes. Cost-cutting strategies, inventory management, and exploring new product lines have been some of the initiatives implemented to revitalize the business. However, while these measures may provide temporary relief, they might not be enough to alleviate the underlying financial pressures faced by the company. The possibility of Wilco going into administration is a cause for concern for its employees, customers, suppliers, and stakeholders. Entering administration would mean that an independent insolvency practitioner would take control of the company's operations to protect the interests of creditors and explore options for the business's future. For employees, this would raise questions about job security and potential redundancies. Suppliers might face uncertainties regarding outstanding payments and future contracts. Furthermore, customers may lose faith in the brand, leading to a decline in customer loyalty and decreased footfall in stores. If Wilco does enter administration, there are several potential outcomes. One possibility is the sale of the company to a competitor or an investor looking to revive the brand. This might lead to some stores being saved, preserving jobs and providing a fresh start for the retailer. Alternatively, the administrator may choose to liquidate assets and close down stores, which could result in the loss of jobs and a potential void in the retail market for certain product categories. Argos is facing similar issues, with its' owner Sainsbury's selling off most the retail units previously occupied by Argos, and relocating the stores inside its supermarkets - as has happened in Bexleyheath.
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