This project started in 2018 and has kind of become an annual event (with an extra summer one thrown in for 2020)!
Some background to the postboxes which you may find useful:
This website!: https://www.stalbanspostboxes.org.uk/
How it started: https://www.atlas-translations.co.uk/atlas-translations-yarnbomber-clare-suttie-and-st-albans-postboxes/
The app we are on on: https://www.eyesonstalbans.com/blog/st-albans-postboxes/
BBC story Christmas 2019: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-50669760
Herts Ad local support:
https://www.hertsad.co.uk/news/stalbanspostboxes-are-back-for-another-christmas-1-6406933
https://www.hertsad.co.uk/news/st-albans-postboxes-are-back-for-the-summer-1-6762238
https://www.hertsad.co.uk/news/st-albans-postboxes-are-back-for-a-third-year-1-6950071
We are on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
We can put you on the list to contact for the next campaign in December 2022. Payments are made directly to the fundraising website.
Contact hq@stalbanspostboxes.org.uk
Below you’ll find the answers the questions we’re most frequently asked at the moment
How do I donate?
You can donate via our Give As You Live page here: https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/st-albans-postboxes-december-2021
You can also click on the big 'donate now' button at the bottom of the page
You can scan the donation QR code on the tag of the postbox that you've found
All the money goes directly to our charities
Where do the donations go?
All the donations are split evenly between our 2 charities for 2021.
The charities are:
ADD-Vance
Youth Talk
All donations are via the Give As You Live donation page - just click on the big red DONATE NOW button at the bottom of the page
How do I download the App?
The map and competition are on the EYES on St Albans app
This is available free in the Google and Apple stores - or you can scan this QR code with your phone and it will take you to the app in the store on your phone
EYES on St Albans have provided this functionality for us as part of their charitable work this year - with all the technical work being done by the team at DigitalJen
How do I enter the competition?
Firstly, you need to download the app. You'll see 2 little postbox icons on there - choose the postbox scan & win one. Make sure you register so we can get in touch with you if you win!
When you're at the postbox, scan the "Scan & Win" QR code and it will register your entry. You can scan once every 24 hours. You can also get additional entries here
You can see all the prizes and terms & conditions here
Can you make a topper for my postbox?
You can ask, and we will consider!
If you live in St Albans, Harpenden, Wheathampstead, Sandridge, Redbourn, Park Street, or How Wood and would like to see your postbox yarnbombed, please get in touch.
We currently have no plans to go into Hatfield, Watford, Welwyn Garden City or any futher afield.
What happens to the toppers?
Our amazing team will take down the toppers at the end of December. They'll then be gently taken apart, washed and stored ready for next year.
We repair and recycle as much as we possibly can. We do take some wiring and staples out to prevent rust - and these will be put back together next autumn.
We only throw away anything that has been damaged beyond repair.
Why don’t you sell the toppers to raise more money?
The toppers are built to survive 30 days on top of a postbox in December - no more! They contain complex structures of wire, staples and glue to keep them together.
They are not toys and as such, don't meet any standards by which we could sell them.
We recycle and reuse as much as possible ready for next year - this really is a year long project!
Can I have the patterns please?
Our amazing crochet team have either found the patterns online (using Google), adapted patterns they already have or, the creative geniuses that they are, made them up themselves.
So there are no patterns - just creativity and a lot of postbox measuring!
Can you teach me to knit?
No - not to knit! The majority of our postboxes are crocheted - with the occasional bit of patchwork.
Head yarnbomber Candy would like to run crochet beginner classes at some point when people are allowed to gather again.
If you fancy teaching yourself to crochet, there are many books and YouTube tutorials are available
Can I make a topper for next year?
We'd love to hear from you if you'd like to get involved with making a topper. We'll need a firm commitment by March (that's when it all starts!) about what you can do.
It might be that you can make the toppers but not the decorations, or the other way around. Get in touch with us to register your interest
All our team provide their own yarn - although we do often receive generous donations of yarn and we distribute this as and when needed.
Can I sponsor a topper next year?
We are always looking for sponsors and the sooner we know about you, the better. Please register your interest as soon as you can.
Some companies sponsor several toppers and this option will be available again.
Why don’t you do more to protect the toppers?
Every part of the St Albans Postboxes yarnbomb is done by volunteers. That includes:
- Every topper being made
- Every topper being put onto the postbox
- All social media
- The website and logo
- All the app functionality
- Every topper being collected, washed, repaired and stored for next year
- Everything else
We really hope that you enjoy the toppers but we don't have the time or manpower to take them in every night, cover them in a dome or GPS track them.
We hope that people enjoy and respect them.
Can I share pictures?
Of course! Please share your finds on
Facebook - the St Albans Postboxes Page, your own page, anywhere you think they'll be appreciated
Twitter - please tag us @spostboxes and #stalbanspostboxes
Instagram - please tag us @stalbanspostboxes and #stalbanspostboxes