Women upset by theft of Christmas postbox topper

A HAND-MADE postbox topper in Goring was stolen.

The knitted decoration was one of three made by members of Cleeve-by-Goring Women’s Institute for Christmas and featured woollen presents, crackers and a Santa centrepiece.

It went missing about a week before Christmas from the post box outside the Arcade.

Eight WI members had spent many hours knitting, crocheting and sewing the toppers.

Krys Knox, 76, a member of the branch committee, was one of the first people to notice that a topper was missing.

She said: “I’m really upset about it. I discovered it was missing when I was walking down the village one evening. I thought, ‘That’s strange’.

“I messaged the ladies and they remembered looking at it at lunchtime that day. I was devastated because I was the one who did the most work on it. It had kept everyone busy and spirits high.

“It’s just so sinister and selfish to take it. Unless they were going to put it on another postbox somewhere, it’s just an act of vandalism. It’s such a useless thing to do.

“I would love it to be returned for our plans to put them up again next year and allow us to add or even do more things. If it turns up that would be marvellous.”

Chris Cox, a member of the WI branch, said: “It’s such a shame when Christmas fun has been spoilt for the community by one selfish person who has committed mindless vandalism. A lot of time and effort was put in by the ladies working on the toppers.”

The other postbox toppers included an assortment of snowmen and Christmas trees in Elvendon Road and a giant hat and scarf in Milldown Avenue.

Mrs Cox said the women made them to bring a smile and some joy to people when they were posting their letters and cards and the WI had received many compliments and thanks from villagers.

The toppers were sewn and glued in place to withstand bad weather.

The theft has been reported to the police. It is believed to have happened between December 15 and 17.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: “Anybody with information, or who knows where this is, is urged to call 101, quoting reference 43240013670.”