Hopes Green Postbox
Saved by residents and our MP
Hopes Green Postbox
Interest was enlivened locally and through the local press when it was announced that this longstanding piece of street furniture was to be removed.
It is outside what was Hopes Green Post Office, in Benfleet’s High Road, where it has been for at least the last 60 years or so.
Now it is to be moved only a short distance away and not removed altogether as was envisaged at one stage, thanks to the efforts of some residents and our Member of Parliament.
This brings to mind the song by Michael Flanders and Donald Swann which they included in their “Hat” revues of the 1950s and 60s. It was called “Pillar to Post”.
Two verses seem appropriate. The words are reproduced here from the Songs of Michael Flanders and Donald Swann.
But there’s one who’s standing by,
A lonely little fellow
Who is trying not to cry;
While all the rest are happy
His courageous heart is not,
And I hear him sadly singing
As a tear runs down his slot:
‘Pity the poor little Pillar-Box
Standing in the rain all day,
Tired and weary, weak and shivery,
Waiting for the next delivery.
Nobody cares for the Pillar-box
Or asks him out to play,
So pity the pretty little Pillar-Box
Standing in the rain all day.’
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I understand that the post box was repositioned next to the railings, I think, on 19th December 2016.
Has anyone a picture of the post box with the slim stamp machine fixed to its side? Once it was vandalised it was removed altogether. This must be at least 30 years ago.
My thanks, too, to Phil and Jenny for their additional pictures. They enhance my short piece admirably.
Thanks to Phil for the excellent photos.
For a short time the postbox sported a ‘sad face’. If you have a photo of this we would like to add it to this page. Please send it to info@benfleethistory.org.uk. (Editor)
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