Page 13 - Real Rochdale Issue 17 Spring 2023

Wardle’s rare George V post box

Wardle village residents are being asked for their memories of

the post box at the post office on Birch Road for a video to send
to the BBC’s Repair Shop.

In 2021, local residents
noticed the oval directional
sign was in a bad way and
needed some TLC as it was
badly rusted and barely
attached to the post box.

The post box itself dates to
the reign of George V
between 1910 and 1936,
embossed with GR. Boxes
from this era account for
around 15%, with more than
60% of current British post
boxes carrying the EIIR mark
of Queen Elizabeth II or a
Scottish crown.

After speaking with members
of Wardle Society and local which restores antique and Airmail signs on the caps of
councillors, it was decided much-loved items to their some pillar boxes are
the sign would be removed former glory – would be increasingly rare and
and the BBC’s Repair Shop – contacted. normally should be repaired
and, where practically
Ward councillor Rina possible, restored rather
Paolucci got in touch with than removed.
the show’s producers who
are interested in the project “If a specimen is no longer fit
and would like a video sent in for operational use, it should
about the sign. be offered to a local museum
or other appropriate local
A joint statement from Royal institution, exhibited at
Mail and Historic England local Royal Mail premises,
says such enamel signs or offered to The Postal
are “increasingly rare” and Museum.”
should be “restored rather
than removed.” Please get in touch with
Vicky Hilton via
The statement adds: vicky@artfulonline.org if you
“Surviving oval enamel Post can help with memories of
Office directions signs and the post box.

REAL ROCHDALE - SPRING 2023 12 13 REAL ROCHDALE - SPRING 2023