2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics gold post boxes

Commemorative post boxes in the UK September 2017 July 2025 thumb|The gold post box in Arleston, Telford, that commemorates the gold medal won by paralympian Mickey Bushell. To commemorate British gold medal winners at the 2012 Summer Olympics and 2012 Summer Paralympics, various post boxes in the home towns of the medal winners around the United Kingdom, plus one each on Sark and the Isle of Man, were repainted gold. It marked the first occasion in modern times that the colour of post boxes in the United Kingdom had been changed from their traditional red. Originally intended to be a temporary measure, due to the positive public response it was later decided the colour change would become a permanent tribute, with boxes additionally receiving their own special plaques. Organisers and timeline The project was organised by Royal Mail Group Communications in-house team, EulogyCase Study: Royal Mail http://www.eulogy.co.uk/test-study/ 18 March 2016 August 2012 Eulogy! and Blonde. Outside the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man Post and Guernsey Post also decided to emulate the Royal Mail scheme when athletes from their territories won gold (one each). https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-isle-of-man-19177937 Peter Kennaugh Olympic win marked with gold postbox 8 August 2012 25 August 2012 BBC News https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-guernsey-19190726 Gold postbox honours Sark's Carl Hester Olympic dressage win 9 August 2012 25 August 2012 BBC News The project was launched on 24 July by painting the box at Westminster Abbey, whilst the first athletes' boxes to be painted were in Lossiemouth for Heather Stanning and in Penzance for Helen Glover, to commemorate their medals in the women's coxless pair rowing.Olympics win: Gold post box honours Heather Stanning https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-19094894 24 August 2012 2 August 2012 BBC NewsPenzance post box painted gold for Olympian Helen Glover https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-19093049 24 August 2012 2 August 2012 BBC News While initially planning to commemorate only Olympic gold medallists, on 15 August 2012, Royal Mail confirmed that gold medallists at the 2012 London Paralympics would also be similarly recognised with boxes and stamps.Silverman Rosa Royal Mail says Paralympic gold medallists will get individual stamps after all https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/9478208/Royal-Mail-says-Paralympic-gold-medallists-will-get-individual-stamps-after-all.html 24 August 2012 The Telegraph 15 August 2012Diaz Alex Paralympic Games British gold medal winners to be celebrated with first class stamps https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/paralympic-games-british-gold-medal-winners-to-be-celebrated-with-first-class-stamps-8052615.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/paralympic-games-british-gold-medal-winners-to-be-celebrated-with-first-class-stamps-8052615.html 1 May 2022 subscription 24 August 2012 The Independent 16 August 2012 On 19 September 2012, the Royal Mail relented to public pressure and decided to also commemorate Northern Irish Paralympians who won gold medals while competing for Ireland, reversing their position that "the stamps and gold post boxes were specifically for gold medal winning Olympian and Paralympians who competed for Team GB."Eglinton Paralympian Smyth misses out on gold post box https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-foyle-west-19554696 19 September 2012 11 September 2012 BBC NewsGold post boxes for NI Paralympian heroes https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-19587519 19 September 2012 13 September 2012 BBC News On 2 November 2012, it was announced the boxes would retain their new colour permanently, and would also receive a plaque denoting the recipient.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20183986 Golden postboxes to keep their sheen to honour British athletes BBC News 2 November 2012 2 November 2012http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/other-sport/olympics-2012-royal-mail-unveils-189621 Olympics 2012: Royal Mail unveils special stamps to celebrate GB gold medal winners Birmingham Mail 2 August 2012 Colour and precedent Postbox According to Royal Mail, the first postboxes (pillar boxes) were erected in the UK in 1853, a year after trial boxes had been erected in Jersey. They were initially painted green, to blend in with the landscape, however between 1874 and 1884 they were repainted bright red to better stand out. This has remained the standard colour, with only a few exceptions, such as blue for Air Mail in the 1930s. Also according to Royal Mail, while gold stamp schemes had been introduced before, the UK is "believed to be the first country to paint post boxes gold to celebrate Olympic and Paralympic gold medal wins". Locations Each gold medallist in the 2012 games had a post box painted in recognition of their achievement, usually in their home-town.Royal Mail goes Gold this summer http://www.royalmailgroup.com/royal-mail-goes-gold-summer Royal Mail 24 August 2012 24 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120818043345/http://www.royalmailgroup.com/royal-mail-goes-gold-summer 18 August 2012 dead dmy-all Great Britain thumb|Gold postbox in Penzance, Cornwall honouring Helen Glover Boxes were painted gold across Great Britain, as far north as Lossiemouth in Scotland, down to the near tip of South West England in Penzance, Cornwall. The actual site of boxes ranges greatly, from rural places such as village greens, to suburban high street locations such as Stratford-upon-Avon, to urban city centres. Northern Ireland Although athletes from Northern Ireland are eligible to compete for both Great Britain (Team GB and ParalympicsGB) and Ireland (Team Ireland and Paralympics Ireland), there were no GB gold medallists from Northern Ireland. Due to the Royal Mail's decision to recognise Northern Irish medallists competing for Ireland, three Irish gold medal-winning Paralympians were recognised with boxes in Eglinton (Jason Smyth), Glengormley (Michael McKillop) and Seaforde (Bethany Firth), although unlike the GB athletes, the multiple medallists (two each for Smyth and McKillop) did not receive multiple boxes. Sark (Bailiwick of Guernsey) The formerly blue post box on the island of Sark in the Bailiwick of Guernsey was painted gold by Guernsey Post to commemorate Carl Hester's team dressage success. Isle of Man The Isle of Man Post painted one gold box for Peter Kennaugh following his success in the cycling team pursuit. Location disputes In some cases, the locations chosen by Royal Mail for gold boxes were disputed by either the athlete or members of the public as not being appropriate, either because the athlete was more closely associated with another location, or their home town was not as closely located as another location. In some cases, the Royal Mail attributed these errors to Team GB's athlete details database. This variously led to additional boxes being awarded, and in at least one case, a gold box being repainted red. For cyclist Joanna Rowsell, the Royal Mail initially painted a box in Carshalton, the location of her birth, however at the request of her family this was repainted red within a few days and replaced by a gold box in nearby Cheam, where she grew up and now lives. For sailor Ben Ainslie, the Royal Mail initially painted a box in Restronguet Passage, Cornwall, the place he grew up and learned to sail. A member of the public then painted a box in Lymington High Street, Hampshire, gold, on the basis that Ainslie was a long-time resident and considered a local "legend".Ben Ainslie post box: Royal Mail U-turn in Lymington https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-19279656 24 August 2012 16 August 2012 BBC News After initially filing a complaint, Royal Mail relented to a public campaign and decided to officially paint the Lymington box themselves. For canoeist Tim Baillie, the Mail painted a box in his home town of Westhill, Aberdeenshire. After requests from the public, a second box was added, also in Westhill, but in a more central location.Olympic canoeist Tim Baillie gets second gold post box in Westhill https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-19368710 24 August 2012 24 August 2012 BBC News For equestrian Peter Charles, Royal Mail painted a post box in Paper Mill Lane, Alton, Hampshire. It was soon pointed out that Charles lived in the nearby village of Bentworth (located 4 miles away), rather than the town itself and a second post box was painted accordingly. Recipients The majority of boxes were awarded to individual gold medallists, whether they were competing individually or as part of a team/crew. This meant that in several cases, multiple gold medal athletes received multiple boxes in various locations. The highest number awarded was four, for the quadruple gold medallists, Sarah Storey and David Weir. In variation of the system of awarding one gold box per medal, there were variations on this theme (not counting instances of multiple boxes painted next to each other as a single site): Andy Murray, Ben Ainslie, Bradley Wiggins, Heather Stanning, Nick Skelton, Peter Charles and Tim Baillie all received two individual gold boxes at two separate sites, to commemorate a single gold medal. Charlotte Dujardin, Chris Hoy, Eleanor Simmonds, Mo Farah, Hannah Cockroft, Jason Kenny and Natasha Baker all received two individual gold boxes at two separate sites, to commemorate two gold medals. Laura Trott received three individual gold boxes at three separate sites to commemorate two gold medals. One was initially painted in her birth town of Harlow by mistake, rather than Cheshunt where she grew up and considers her "home town".8 August 2012 Laura Trott golden postbox painted in Harlow by mistake BBC News https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-19137832 9 July 2023 Pete Reed received four individual gold boxes at three separate sites to commemorate one gold medal Sophie Christiansen received four individual gold boxes at four separate sites to commemorate three gold medals In one case, a box was also shared between two athletes – cyclist Craig MacLean initially received one gold box in Grantown-on-Spey, Scotland, to commemorate his single gold medal won as an able-bodied pilot in the Paralympics, while Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton also initially received one gold box in Stotfold, Bedfordshire, to commemorate her single gold medal. A third box was later painted in their home town Wilmslow, Cheshire, dedicated to both of them. In certain other cases, the boxes were awarded to commemorate recipients other than individual athletes: Two boxes to commemorate the Olympics (Westminster) and Paralympics (Stoke Mandeville), painted to launch each respective scheme A box to commemorate London hosting its third Olympic Games (Stratford) A box to commemorate British Cycling (Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester) A box to commemorate Henley's rowing clubs (Henley-on-Thames) The Henley box was awarded to mark the over one hundred Olympic medal winning rowers who have trained at the town's Leander Club.Henley-on-Thames rowers get gold post box https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-19296638 24 August 2012 17 August 2012 BBC News Types and cyphers The type of box painted encompasses the wide variety of types in use. The ubiquitous cylindrical pillar box was represented by both the traditional Type A (narrow) and Type B (wide) versions, plus the newer Type K pillar boxes (both singular and in pairs). The modern square shaped pillar box, the Type G, was also painted (singles and pairs). Various types of wall box were also represented, both installed in buildings, and in self-contained pillars. Representing the pole mounted type were two boxes of the more traditional design (Pete Reed in Watledge Road, Nailsworth and Bethany Firth in Seaforde), as well as a single example of the modern Type M (Tim Baillie, Westhill Drive North). A single example of the rare Penfold type hexagonal pillar box was also painted, for Sophie Wells in Lincoln. The Isle of Man box represents the only Type D painted gold (the D being a Type C oval but with a stamp vending machine), In one case, Nicola Adams' box in Leeds, as well as the post box, an adjacent Franked Mail Only type box was painted. Reflecting the age range of the boxes painted, there are also a number of different Royal Cyphers, from the then-current Queen Elizabeth II (EIIR), to the historical versions for King Edward VII (EVIIR), King George V (G R) and Queen Victoria (V R). Also represented are Scottish boxes, which simply display the Scots Crown, and also boxes with no cypher at all. Tourist attractions The boxes were met with positive public reaction, becoming tourist attractions within their local areas.Jones Jonathan How Olympic gold gave Britain a fresh coat of patriotism https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/jonathanjonesblog/2012/aug/14/olympic-gold-britain-postbox-london-2012 10 September 2012 The Guardian 14 August 2012Andy Murray and Kat Copeland's gold post boxes damaged https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/rowing/9464321/Andy-Murray-and-Kat-Copelands-gold-post-boxes-damaged.html 24 August 2012 The Telegraph 9 August 2012 Press AssociationHendry Arron Gold post box in Lymington now officially in Ainslee's honour http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/9886597.Gold_post_box_in_Lymington_now_officially_in_Ainslee_s_honour/ 10 September 2012 Bournemouth Daily Echo 22 August 2012Adams India Gold Post Box in Jarrow For Teenage Paralympic Hero Josef Craig http://tyneandwear.sky.com/news/article/38670 10 September 2012 8 September 2012 Sky News https://web.archive.org/web/20120913004407/http://tyneandwear.sky.com/news/article/38670 13 September 2012 dead dmy-all Vandalism and unofficial boxes Several of the official gold post boxes were subsequently vandalised. These included the ones for triathlete Alistair Brownlee,Alistair Brownlee golden post box vandalised in Leeds https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-19345460 24 August 2012 22 August 2012 BBC News rower Kat Copeland, swimmer Josef Craig,Hutchinson Lisa Josef Craig's gold postbox in Jarrow is vandalised http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/communities/jarrow/2012/09/13/josef-craig-s-gold-postbox-in-jarrow-is-vandalised-72703-31827405/ 19 September 2012 Evening Chronicle 13 September 2012 heptathlete Jessica Ennis,Jessica's gold post box vandalised http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/breaking-news/offbeat/jessicas-gold-postbox-vandalised-16195216.html 24 August 2012 The Belfast Telegraph 8 August 2012 and tennis player Andy Murray. Fans picked flecks of paint off Murray's box as souvenirs, while Ennis' box was defaced with the words "Go Jess". A number of additional post boxes were painted by members of the public to commemorate silver and bronze medallists: In Wyke Regis, for silver medallist Nick Dempsey.Silver postbox turns red again http://www.thisisdorset.net/news/9867374.Silver_postbox_turns_red_again/ thisisdorset.co.uk 25 August 2012 In Doddington, Lincolnshire, for bronze medallist Georgie TwiggDoddington postbox painted bronze for hockey team win http://thelincolnite.co.uk/2012/08/doddington-postbox-painted-bronze-for-hockey-team-win/ https://web.archive.org/web/20130317143527/http://thelincolnite.co.uk/2012/08/doddington-postbox-painted-bronze-for-hockey-team-win/ usurped 17 March 2013 27 August 2012 13 August 2012 The LincolniteDoddington post box painted bronze by hockey fans https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-19233196 24 August 2012 12 August 2012 BBC News In Lowestoft, for bronze medallist Anthony Ogogo.Anthony Ogogo gets bronze post box in Lowestoft 15 August 2012 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-19268691 BBC News 24 August 2012 The awarding of an additional box for Ben Ainslie in Lymington was precipitated by an episode of vandalism which saw the perpetrator arrested.Topping Alexandra Royal Mail's Olympic post box-painting inspires public copycat campaign https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/aug/15/royal-mail-olympic-postbox 24 August 2012 The Guardian 15 August 2012 After Lizzy Yarnold's win in the Women's Skeleton during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, vandals crudely painted a post box gold in her hometown of Sevenoaks, Kent. Despite an online petition attracting 43,000 signatures, Royal Mail rejected demands for an official gold post box to be decorated, declaring that the 2012 Summer Olympics were a 'unique occasion'.https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/other-sports/athletics/sochi-2014-lizzy-yarnolds-postbox-3165716 Vandals paint Lizzy Yarnold's postbox GOLD after Royal Mail denied pleas to recognise Sochi winner Paul Gorst Daily Mirror 20 February 2014 Two unofficial postboxes were positioned outside Home Park, Plymouth; one gold for Lithuanian swimmer Rūta Meilutytė, who is based in the city, and one bronze for diver Tom Daley.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-19741051 Postboxes painted for medallists 27 September 2012 BBC Two unofficial boxes appeared in Posso and Kirkton Manor, both near Peebles in the Scottish borders, which also had its own official box in honour of Scott Brash and one at Stoke in Hayling Island, in honour of 2020 Olympian Eilidh McIntyre. In addition to the gold post box on Sark for Carl Hester, in 2020 Guernsey Post painted one of their (normally blue) post boxes gold in recognition of Percy Hodge who won a gold medal at the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp.https://www.guernseypost.com/news/article/guernsey-post-commemorates-100th-anniversary-olympic-gold-medal-winner Guernsey Post commemorates 100th Anniversary of Olympic Gold Medal winner List of gold postboxes Olympian boxes AthleteEvent(s)Town/CityAddressCoordinates Nicola Adams Boxing – Women's flyweight Leeds Cookridge Street 53.7999 N 1.5472 W inline Nicola Adams, Leeds Ben Ainslie Sailing – Men's Finn RestronguetLymington Pandora Inn High Street, Lymington https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-19223242 BBC News Ben Ainslie: Lymington gold post box painter arrested 11 August 2012 25 August 2012 50.1948 N 5.0642 W inline Ben Ainslie, Restronguet50.7589 N 1.5388 W inline Ben Ainslie, Lymington Tim Baillie Canoeing – Men's slalom C-2 WesthillWesthill Westhill Drive NorthWesthill Drive South 57.1595 N 2.2818 W inline Tim Baillie, Westhill57.1538 N 2.2767 W inline Tim Baillie, Westhill Laura Bechtolsheimer Laura Tomlinson Equestrian – Team dressage Ampney St Peter High Street 51.7114 N 1.8835 W inline Laura Bechtolsheimer, Ampney St Peter Scott Brash Equestrian – Team jumping Peebles 41 High Street 55.6515 N 3.1909 W inline Scott Brash, Peebles Alistair Brownlee Men's triathlon Horsforth Craghill Post Office, 77 New Road Side, Horsforth, Leeds LS18 4QD 53.8320 N 1.6408 W inline Alistair Brownlee, Horsforth Steven Burke Cycling – Men's team pursuit Colne Albert Road/Crabtree Street 53.8551 N 2.1786 W inline Steven Burke, Colne Luke Campbell Luke Campbell (boxer) Boxing – Men's bantamweight Hull Hessle Road 53.7351 N 0.3650 W inline Luke Campbell, Hull Peter Charles Equestrian – Team jumping AltonBentworth Paper Mill LaneHolt End Lane 51.1511 N 0.9666 W inline Peter Charles, Alton51.1565 N 1.0516 W inline Peter Charles, Bentworth Ed Clancy Cycling – Men's team pursuit Huddersfield Railway Street 53.6471 N 1.7842 W inline Ed Clancy, Huddersfield Katherine Copeland Rowing – Women's lightweight double sculls Ingleby Barwick Apsley Way 54.5280 N 1.3265 W inline Katherine Copeland, Ingleby Barwick Charlotte Dujardin Equestrian – Team dressageEquestrian – Individual dressage Enfield TownNewent Southbury RoadChurch Street 51.6524 N 0.0788 W inline Charlotte Dujardin, Enfield Town51.9309 N 2.4035 W inline Charlotte Dujardin, Newent Jessica Ennis Jessica Ennis-Hill Athletics – Women's heptathlon Sheffield Sheffield City Hall 53.3804 N 1.4728 W inline Jessica Ennis, Sheffield Mo Farah Athletics – Men's 10,000 metres Athletics – Men's 5000 metres IsleworthTeddington Isleworth Post Office, London Road Broad Street/North Lane 51.4751 N 0.3379 W inline Mo Farah, Isleworth51.4260 N 0.3380 W inline Mo Farah, Teddington GB Cycling Cycling – British Cycling HQ Manchester Piccadilly Gardenshttp://www.manchester.gov.uk/news/article/6465/manchester_cyclists_give_city_second_gold_post_box__ahead_of_homecoming_event Manchester City Council news Manchester City Council Government of the United Kingdom 53.4814 N 2.2369 W inline GB Cycling, Manchester Helen Glover Helen Glover (rower) Rowing – Women's coxless pair Penzance Quay Street, TR18 4BD 50.1161 N 5.5310 W inline Helen Glover, Penzance Katherine Grainger Rowing – Women's double sculls Aberdeen Castle Street 57.1483 N 2.0922 W inline Katherine Grainger, Aberdeen Alex Gregory Rowing – Men's coxless four Cheltenham High Street 51.8997 N 2.0728 W inline Alex Gregory, Cheltenham Henley-on-Thames Rowers Rowing – Leander Club Henley-on-Thames Hart Street 51.5377 N 0.9042 W inline Henley rowers Carl Hester Equestrian – Team dressage Sark, Guernsey The Avenue 49.4321 N 2.3565 W inline Carl Hester, Sark Philip Hindes Cycling – Men's team sprint Manchester Albert Square/Lloyd Street 53.4791 N 2.2460 W inline Phil Hindes, Manchester Sophie Hosking Rowing – Women's lightweight double sculls Wimbledon Worple Road 51.42165 N 0.2085 W inline Sophie Hosking, Wimbledon Chris Hoy Cycling – Men's keirinCycling – Men's team sprint Edinburgh Hanover Street/Princes StreetHunter Square 55.9522 N 3.1965 W inline Chris Hoy, Edinburgh55.9497 N 3.1878 W inline Chris Hoy, Edinburgh Tom James rower Rowing – Men's coxless four Wrexham Town Hill Post Office 53.0445 N 2.9944 W inline Tom James, Wrexham Jade Jones Jade Jones (taekwondo) Taekwondo – Women's 57 kg Flint Church Street 53.2485 N 3.1359 W inline Jade Jones, Flint Anthony Joshua Boxing – Men's super heavyweight Watford High Street 51.6552 N 0.3958 W inline Anthony Joshua, Watford Peter Kennaugh Cycling – Men's team pursuit Onchan, Isle of Man Main Road/Kelvin Road 54.1741 N 4.4555 W inline Peter Kennaugh, Onchan Jason Kenny Cycling – Men's team sprintCycling – Men's individual sprint Bolton Deansgate Churchgate 53.5792 N 2.4324 W inline Jason Kenny, Bolton 53.5796 N 2.4258 W inline Jason Kenny, Bolton Dani King Cycling – Women's team pursuit Hamble-le-Rice High Street 50.8590 N 1.3150 W inline Dani King, Hamble-le-Rice Ben Maher Equestrian – Team jumping Elsenham Robin Hood Roadhttp://alandean.mycouncillor.org.uk/2012/08/07/golden-post-box-in-elsenham-for-ben-maher/ Golden Post Box in Elsenham for Ben Maher - Alan Dean Via Studios alandean.mycouncillor.org.uk 7 August 2012 51.9142 N 0.2292 E inline Ben Maher, Elsenham Ed McKeever Canoeing – Men's K-1 200 metres Bradford on Avon The Shambles 51.3478 N 2.2509 W inline Ed McKeever, Bradford on Avon Andy Murray Tennis – Men's singles DunblaneWimbledon High StreetChurch Road 56.1883 N 3.9641 W inline Andy Murray, Dunblane51.4303 N 0.2124 W inline Andy Murray, Wimbledon Olympic Village 2012 Summer Olympics Stratford Post Office, Broadwayhttp://london.iwitness24.co.uk/en/photos/scenes-of-london/2012-09-08/2608/stratford-gold-post-box.html London Londonhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20183986 Olympic postboxes to remain gold 2 November 2012 BBC 51.5405 N 0.0007 E inline Olympic Village, Stratford Victoria Pendleton Cycling – Women's keirin StotfoldWilmslow Brook Street Alderley Roadhttp://www.myroyalmail.com/news/national/2012/11/golden-goodwill-continues Golden goodwill continues 52.0140 N 0.2359 W inline Victoria Pendleton, Stotfold53.3261 N 2.2312 W inline Victoria Pendleton and Craig MacLean, Wilmslow Pete Reed Rowing – Men's coxless four ChiswickNailsworthNailsworth Heathfield Terrace, Chiswick Old Market, NailsworthWatledge Road, Nailsworth 51.4913 N 0.2658 W inline Pete Reed, Chiswick51.6956 N 2.2190 W inline Pete Reed, Nailsworth51.7004 N 2.2209 W inline Pete Reed, Nailsworth Joanna Rowsell Joanna Rowsell Shand Cycling – Women's team pursuit Cheamhttp://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/local/suttonnews/9867069.Second_golden_post_box_for_Olympic_champ_Joanna_Rowsell/ Second golden post box for Olympic champ Joanna Rowsell Your Local Guardian Carshaltonhttp://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/local/suttonnews/9857956.Post_box_marks_birthplace_of_Olympic_cyclist/ Post box marks birthplace of Olympic cyclist Your Local Guardian Ewell Road Carshalton Road/Cambridge Road(Box repainted red on request byfamily for gold box in Cheam) 51.3576 N 0.2175 W inline Jo Rowsell, Cheam 51.3630 N 0.1716 W inline Jo Rowsell, Carshalton Greg Rutherford Athletics – Men's long jump Milton Keynes Silbury Boulevard 52.0444 N 0.7571 W inline Greg Rutherford, Milton Keynes Nick Skelton Equestrian – Team jumping AlcesterBedworth High StreetHigh Streethttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-19329155 Second gold post box for Nick Skelton in Bedworth 21 August 2012 BBC News 24 August 2012 52.2140 N 1.8703 W inline Nick Skelton, Alcester52.4788 N 1.4719 W inline Nick Skelton, Bedworth Heather Stanning Rowing – Women's coxless pair Lossiemouth Clifton Road West, IV31 6DPGold Postbox Finder http://www.goldpostboxes.com/ Royal Mail 8 September 2012 4 December 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131204223909/http://www.goldpostboxes.com/ dead 57.7202 N 3.2809 W inline Heather Stanning, Lossiemouth Etienne Stott Canoeing – Men's double canoe slalom Bedford St Paul's Square MK40 1SQ 52.1351 N 0.4681 W inline Etienne Stott, Bedford Geraint Thomas Cycling – Men's team pursuit Cardiff Castle Street 51.4810 N 3.1820 W inline Geraint Thomas, Cardiff Andrew Triggs-Hodge Rowing – Men's coxless four Hebden Main Street 54.0638 N 1.9616 W inline Andrew Triggs Hodge, Hebden Laura Kenny Laura Kenny Cycling – Women's team pursuitCycling – Women's omnium CheshuntCheshuntHarlow College RoadCadmore Lane Post Office Road 51.7022 N 0.0355 W inline Laura Trott, Cheshunt 51.7090 N 0.0295 W inline Laura Trott, Cheshunt 51.7719 N 0.0940 E inline Laura Trott, Harlow Anna Watkins Rowing – Women's double sculls Leek Derby Street 53.1057 N 2.0247 W inline Anna Watkins, Leek Bradley Wiggins Cycling – Men's road time trial EcclestonChorley Carrington CentreChorley Centre, Market Street 53.6461 N 2.7239 W inline Bradley Wiggins, Eccleston53.6540 N 2.6326 W inline Bradley Wiggins, Chorley Westminster Abbey Project launch Westminster Abbeyhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/london/articles/Where-can-I-find-Royal-Mails-gold-post-boxes-in-London/ Where can I find Royal Mail's gold post boxes in London? John O'Ceallaigh The Telegraph 22 March 2018 The Daily Telegraph Tothill Street 51.4996 N 0.1298 W inline Westminster Abbey Peter Wilson Peter Wilson (sport shooter) Shooting – Men's double trap Sherborne Cheap Street 50.9486 N 2.5162 W inline Peter Wilson, Sherborne Olympian commemorative post boxes Paralympian boxes Key #e3f4d7  *  darkgray Athlete competed for Ireland AthleteEventCityAddressCoordinates Jessica-Jane Applegate Swimming – Women's 200-metre freestyle S14 Belton with BrowstonScotter Kate Norfolk postbox painted gold to celebrate Jessica-Jane Applegate's Paralympic Games win http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/norfolk_postbox_painted_gold_to_celebrate_jessica_jane_applegate_s_paralympic_games_win_1_1502700 8 September 2012 Norwich Evening News 4 September 2012 Station Road South 52.5645 N 1.6589 E inline Jessica-Jane Applegate, Belton with Browston Natasha Baker Equestrian – Individual championship test grade IIEquestrian – Individual freestyle test grade II UxbridgeBaldock Andrew Equestrianism: Natasha Baker cooks up a storm but Lee Pearson fails https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympics/equestrianism-natasha-baker-cooks-up-a-storm-but-lee-pearson-fails-8102803.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympics/equestrianism-natasha-baker-cooks-up-a-storm-but-lee-pearson-fails-8102803.html 1 May 2022 subscription live 8 September 2012 The Independent 4 September 2012Cowley, Londonhttps://twitter.com/royalmailnews/status/302445495970828288 Royal Mail News on TwitterMarch 2018 High StreetArmytage Marcus Paralympics 2012: Natasha Baker wins second dressage gold medal with record score on Cabral https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympic-sport/9517455/Paralympics-2012-Natasha-Baker-wins-second-dressage-gold-medal-with-record-score-on-Cabral.html 8 September 2012 The Telegraph 3 September 2012Church Road 51.5461 N 0.4793 W inline Natasha Baker, Uxbridge51.5277 N 0.4743 W inline Natasha Baker, Cowley Danielle Brown Archery – Women's individual compound SkiptonDanielle Brown's win celebrated with ParalympicsGB Gold Medal stamp http://www.royalmailgroup.com/danielle-browns-win-celebrated-paralympicsgb-gold-medal-stamp Royal Mail 8 September 2012 4 September 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304084120/http://www.royalmailgroup.com/danielle-browns-win-celebrated-paralympicsgb-gold-medal-stamp 4 March 2016 dead Swadford Street 53.9602 N 2.0185 W inline Danielle Brown, Skipton Mickey Bushell Athletics – Men's 100 metres T53 Telford Arleston LaneShropshire postboxes unofficially painted gold https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-19479807 8 September 2012 4 September 2012 BBC Sport 52.6955 N 2.4992 W inline Mickey Bushell, Arleston Sophie Christiansen Equestrian – Individual championship test grade IaEquestrian – TeamEquestrian – Individual freestyle test grade Ia FulmerSix sporting legends you might not know are from Bucks https://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/19007352.six-sporting-legends-might-not-know-bucks/ 25 October 2026 Bucks Free Press 15 January 2021 SunningdaleGold post box for golden girl Sophie http://www.bracknellnews.co.uk/news/ascot/articles/2012/09/03/62367-gold-post-box-for-golden-girl-sophie/ 8 September 2012 Bracknell News 3 September 2012 Maidenhead Egham Black Horse Pub, Windmill RoadLondon RoadHigh Street Royal Holloway College 51.5612 N 0.5604 W inline Sophie Christiansen, Fulmer51.3928 N 0.6290 W inline Sophie Christiansen, Sunningdale51.5228 N 0.7197 W inline Sophie Christiansen, Egham51.4257 N 0.5682 W inline Sophie Christiansen, Maidenhead Hannah Cockroft Athletics – Women's 100m – T34 Athletics – Women's 200m – T34 HalifaxFirst pictures of Hannah Cockroft's gold post box http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/local/first-pictures-of-hannah-cockroft-s-gold-post-box-1-4889196 8 September 2012 Halifax Courier 1 September 2012Halifax Town Hall, Crossley StreetMount Tabor Roadhttp://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/local/location-of-hannah-cockroft-s-second-golden-post-box-revealed-1-4934936 Location of Hannah Cockroft's second golden post box revealed Halifax Courier 20 September 2012 23 October 2012 20 September 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121023111035/http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/local/location-of-hannah-cockroft-s-second-golden-post-box-revealed-1-4934936 dead 53.7241 N 1.8605 W inline Hannah Cockroft, Halifax53.7406 N 1.9196 W inline Hannah Cockroft, Halifax Mark Colbourne Cycling – Men's individual pursuit Tredegar,Mark Colbourne's gold postbox honour after Paralympics win https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/19446114 8 September 2012 1 September 2012 BBC News Commercial Street 51.7756 N 3.2462 W inline Mark Colbourne, Tredegar Josef Craig Swimming – Men's 400-metre freestyle S7 JarrowJosef Craig celebrated with gold Jarrow postbox https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-19518374 9 September 2012 8 September 2012 BBC News Grange Road 54.9813 N 1.4896 W inline Josef Craig, Jarrow Deborah Criddle Equestrian – Team TrullSomerset's Deb Criddle gets gold postbox 2012 honour https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-19517608 9 September 2012 7 September 2012 BBC News Church Road 50.9944 N 3.1217 W inline Deborah Criddle, Trull Aled Davies Aled Davies (athlete) Athletics – Men's discus throw F42 BridgendGold post box for Bridgend's Aled Davies https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-19467682 9 September 2012 BBC News Gentle Way 51.5017 N 3.6012 W inline Aled Davies, Bridgend Neil Fachie Cycling – Men's individual sprint B AberdeenAberdeen cyclist Neil Fachie's win marked by special stamp https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-19449986 11 September 2012 2 September 2012 BBC News Golden Square 57.1462 N 2.1053 W inline Neil Fachie, Aberdeen Bethany Firth* Swimming – Women's 100-metre backstroke S14 Seaforde, County Down Newcastle Road2012 Paralympic Games – Bethany Firth* – Swimming – Women's 100-metre backstroke S14 https://specialpostbox.com/2019/10/15/Bethany-Firth*-Swimming-Womens-100/ Special Postboxes 18 July 2024 15 October 2019 54.3064 N 5.8411 W inline Bethany Firth, Seaforde Jonathan Fox Jonathan Fox (swimmer) Swimming – Men's 100-metre backstroke S7 St Stephen-in-BrannelSt Stephen postbox painted gold after Jonathan Fox medal win https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-19433071 10 September 2012 31 August 2012 BBC News Fore Street 50.3437 N 4.8908 W inline Jonathan Fox, St Stephen-in-Brannel Heather Frederiksen Swimming – Women's 100-metre backstroke S8 LeighHeather Frederiksen's win celebrated with ParalympicsGB Gold Medal stamp http://www.royalmailgroup.com/heather-frederiksens-win-celebrated-paralympicsgb-gold-medal-stamp Royal Mail 10 September 2012 4 September 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304070041/http://www.royalmailgroup.com/heather-frederiksens-win-celebrated-paralympicsgb-gold-medal-stamp 4 March 2016 dead Market Street 53.4981 N 2.5189 W inline Heather Frederiksen, Leigh Oliver Hynd Swimming – Men's 200-metre individual medley SM8 Kirkby-in-Ashfield Chapel Street 53.1009 N 1.2640 W inline Oliver Hynd, Kirkby-in-Ashfield Anthony Kappes Cycling – Men's sprint Chapel-en-le-Frith Market Street 53.3248 N 1.9086 W inline Anthony Kappes, Chapel-en-le-Frith Helena Lucas Sailing – One Person Keelboat – 2.4 Metre EastonKitching Laura Paralympic sailing star gives Portland post box the golden touch http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/9918187.Paralympic_sailing_star_gives_Portland_post_box_the_golden_touch/ 11 September 2012 Dorset Echo 8 September 2012 Pound Piece 50.542657 N 2.444399 W inline Helena Lucas, Easton Craig MacLean Cycling – Men's sprint Grantown-on-SpeyCrowther Stuart Moray gets a second gold post box in honour of cyclist Craig MacLean http://local.stv.tv/elgin/news/188403-moray-gets-a-second-gold-post-box-in-honour-of-cyclist-craig-maclean/ 10 September 2012 4 September 2012 STV https://archive.today/20130418182059/http://local.stv.tv/elgin/news/188403-moray-gets-a-second-gold-post-box-in-honour-of-cyclist-craig-maclean/ 18 April 2013 dead dmy-all Wilmslow High Street, A939Alderley Road 57.3306 N 3.6086 W inline Craig MacLean, Grantown-on-Spey 53.3261 N 2.2312 W inline Victoria Pendleton and Craig MacLean, Wilmslow Michael McKillop* Athletics – Men's 800 metres T37Athletics – Men's 1500 metres T37 Glengormley Sandyknowes RoundaboutMcKillop helps paint gold post box http://www.u.tv/News/McKillop-helps-paint-gold-post-box/1201fbbb-5722-479d-be48-a30a3d83a38a 20 September 2012 17 September 2012 UTV 54.6763 N 5.9705 W inline Michael McKillop, Glengormley Jonnie Peacock Athletics – Men's 100 metres T44 DoddingtonJonnie Peacock 'not sure' where he wants gold postbox https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-19516591 10 September 2012 7 September 2012 BBC Newshttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-19541709 Peacock selects gold postbox site 10 September 2012 BBC New Street 52.4959 N 0.0600 E inline Jonnie Peacock, Doddington Josie Pearson Athletics – Women's discus throw F51/52/53 Hay-on-WyeAspin Guy Paralympic Games: Josie Pearson sets three world records for discus gold http://www.scotsman.com/sport/paralympic-games-josie-pearson-sets-three-world-records-for-discus-gold-1-2514266 10 September 2012 The Scotsman 8 September 2012 Church Street 52.0732 N 3.1281 W inline Josie Pearson, Hay-on-Wye Lee Pearson Equestrian – Team BagnallGold post box to honour Lee http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Gold-post-box-honour-Lee/story-16848751-detail/story.html 10 September 2012 The Sentinel 7 September 2012 School Road 53.0555 N 2.1083 W inline Lee Pearson, Bagnall Pam Relph Rowing – Mixed coxed four Weston TurvilleUPDATED: Rower's golden display results in dazzling new post box in Weston Turville http://www.bucksherald.co.uk/news/local-news/updated-rower-s-golden-display-results-in-dazzling-new-post-box-in-weston-turville-1-4220928 10 September 2012 The Bucks Herald 5 September 2012 Main Street, (Brick pillar) 51.7899 N 0.7627 W inline Pam Relph, Weston Turville Naomi Riches Rowing – Mixed coxed four MarlowNadal James Marlow's post box turning gold after Paralympics success http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/localnews/marlow/9906943.Marlow_s_post_box_turning_gold_after_Paralympics_success/ 10 September 2012 Bucks Free Press 3 September 2012 High Street 51.5706 N 0.7756 W inline Naomi Riches, Marlow James Roe James Roe (rower) Rowing – Mixed coxed four Stratford-upon-AvonParalympian James Roe gets Warwickshire gold postbox honour https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-19471120 10 September 2012 3 September 2012 BBC News Bridge Street 52.1928 N 1.7060 W inline James Roe, Stratford upon Avon Ellie Simmonds Swimming – Women's 400m freestyle S6Swimming – Women's 200-metre individual medley SM6 AldridgeSwanseaParalympian Ellie Simmonds Swansea gold postbox honour https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-19473243 10 September 2012 4 September 2012 BBC News High StreetAuthi Jasbir Aldridge postbox painted gold to honour Paralympian Ellie Simmonds http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories/2012/09/03/aldridge-postbox-painted-gold-to-honour-paralympian-ellie-simmonds-97319-31757080/ 10 September 2012 Birmingham Mail 3 September 2012 Trawler Road 52.6050 N 1.9155 W inline Eleanor Simmonds, Aldridge51.6148 N 3.9385 W inline Eleanor Simmonds, Swansea David Smith David Smith (rower) Rowing – Mixed coxed four AviemoreScots athletes in London 2012 Paralympic Games wins https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-19463979 10 September 2012 3 September 2012 BBC News Grampian Road 57.1925 N 3.8285 W inline Dave Smith, Aviemore Jason Smyth* Athletics – Men's 100 metres T13Athletics – Men's 200 metres T13 EglintonGolden postboxes delivered for Paralympic heroes http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/paralympics/golden-postboxes-delivered-for-paralympic-heroes-16212264.html 19 September 2012 The Belfast Telegraph 18 September 2012 Woodvale RoadParalympian Jason Smyth receives another golden delivery https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-foyle-west-19596225 20 September 2012 14 September 2012 BBC News 55.0267 N 7.1789 W inline Jason Smyth, Eglinton Stoke Mandeville Hospital 2012 Summer Paralympics Aylesbury National Spinal Injuries Centre, Entrance 3, Lower RoadGold Post Boxes Launched For ParalympicsGB Gold Medal Winners http://www.pocklingtonpost.co.uk/community/gold-post-boxes-launched-for-paralympicsgb-gold-medal-winners-1-4876138 10 September 2012 Pocklington Post 29 August 2012 26 August 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130826115238/http://www.pocklingtonpost.co.uk/community/gold-post-boxes-launched-for-paralympicsgb-gold-medal-winners-1-4876138 dead 51.7976 N 0.8054 W inline Stoke Mandeville Hospital David Stone David Stone (cyclist) Cycling – Mixed road race T1-2 RawdonParalympian David Stone gets gold postbox in Rawdon https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-19537945 10 September 2012 9 September 2012 BBC News Town Street 53.8499 N 1.6716 W inline David Stone, Rawdon Sarah Storey Cycling – Women's individual pursuit C5Cycling – Women's 500m time trial C4-5 Cycling – Women's road time trial C5 Cycling – Women's road race C4–5 DisleyBritton Paul Post box to be painted gold in Disley to mark local girl Sarah Storey's Paralympic triumph http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1587684_post-box-to-be-painted-gold-in-disley-to-mark-local-girl-sarah-storeys-paralympic-triumph 10 September 2012 Manchester Evening News 31 August 2012PoyntonEcclesMacclesfield Buxton RoadPoynton High SchoolMore Paralympic medal success for Disley's golden couple http://www.buxtonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/other-sports/more-paralympic-medal-success-for-disley-s-golden-couple-1-4891040 11 September 2012 Buxton Advertiser 3 September 2012 Gilda Brook RoadMarket Place 53.3591 N 2.0305 W inline Sarah Storey, Disley53.3452 N 2.1119 W inline Sarah Storey, Poynton53.4890 N 2.3265 W inline Sarah Storey, Eccles53.2614 N 2.1255 W inline Sarah Storey, Macclesfield Barney Storey Cycling – Men's individual sprint B Disley Market Street 53.3594 N 2.0377 W inline Barney Storey, Disley Lily van den Broecke Rowing – Mixed coxed four OxfordParalympic rowing cox gets gold postbox https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-19465470 11 September 2012 3 September 2012 BBC News Divinity Road 51.7499 N 1.2250 W inline Lily van den Broecke, Oxford David Weir David Weir (athlete) Athletics – Men's 5000 metresAthletics – Men's 1500 metres T54Athletics – Men's 800 metres T54Athletics – Men's marathon WallingtonWallingtonWallingtonWallington Woodcote RoadMollison SquareForesters DriveMollison Drive 51.358757 N 0.149732 W inline David Weir, Wallington51.3533 N 0.1345 W inline David Weir, Wallington51.3531 N 0.1376 W inline David Weir, Wallington51.3541 N 0.1292 W inline David Weir, Wallington Sophie Wells Equestrian – Team LincolnGolden postbox for Sophie http://www.itv.com/news/calendar/update/2012-09-07/golden-postbox-for-sophie/ 11 September 2012 7 September 2012 ITV News Exchequergate53.2344 N 0.5385 W inline Sophie Wells, Lincoln Richard Whitehead Richard Whitehead (athlete) Athletics – Men's 200 metres T42 LowdhamGold post box for Paralympic gold medallist Richard Whitehead http://www.itv.com/news/central/update/2012-09-01/gold-post-box-for-paralympic-gold-medallist-richard-whitehead/ 11 September 2012 1 September 2012 ITV NewsSmith Becky Gold postbox in Lowdham following Paralympics victory http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/Gold-postbox-Lowdham-following-Paralympics/story-16809174-detail/story.html this is Nottingham 11 September 2012 2 September 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120904013615/http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/Gold-postbox-Lowdham-following-Paralympics/story-16809174-detail/story.html 4 September 2012 dead Main Street 53.0120 N 1.0048 W inline Richard Whitehead, Lowdham Paralympian commemorative post boxes Stamps In addition to the post boxes a first class stamp depicting each medal-winning individual or team was produced.GB gold medal winners honoured with special stamp https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19083289 24 August 2012 1 August 2012 BBC News See also Olympic Oaks Great Britain at the 2012 Summer Olympics Great Britain at the 2012 Summer Paralympics Ireland at the 2012 Summer Olympics Ireland at the 2012 Summer Paralympics 2012 Summer Olympics 2012 Summer Paralympics References External links Gold Postbox Finder Post boxes Category:Postal system of the United Kingdom Category:Royal Mail labour relations Post boxes Category:Great Britain at the Olympics Category:Great Britain at the Paralympics Category:Street 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