The Mail Trail for Hospiscare - Information for Post Box Topper Makers

THE MAIL TRAIL – FOR HOSPISCARE - SUMMER 2025 – MAKERS INFORMATION

Be part of something everyone will be talking about!

This is the 5th Mail Trail in aid of Hospiscare and it is getting bigger and better.  This year we are including communities outside of Exmouth, including Budleigh Salterton, East Budleigh, Woodbury, Ottery St Mary and (possibly) Lympstone.  

We are looking for crafters who knit, crochet, sew or use any other craft, to make, toppers for up to 51 post boxes.  Whether you are an individual, group of friends, club, or other organisation, your help will be greatly appreciated.

We are also looking for business, organisations and individuals to sponsor each topper.

Maps will be sold by various outlets and on-line, to people wishing to discover the trail, and we also hope to be able to offer other routes, including walking, running routes, kids trails. We also hope that local press will cover and publicise the trail. All proceeds will go to Hospiscare.

When and Where

We are aiming to get all the toppers put out between 19-23rd May, with the publicity launch on 23rd May (time to be confirmed). We would like to have as many of the makers as possible at the launch, which will probably take place at the post box in the Strand (near the TSB Bank).  Toppers will be out until at least the end of September 2024.

We cannot guarantee exactly which post box your topper(s) will be put on.  We will look after it as much as possible and hope it will be loved and cared for by our community.  Unfortunately, we do have to accept that there may be a degree of vandalism, but we do not let this stop us! We do hope that you will be able to help keep an eye on the toppers and join us with repairs, if necessary.

Each topper will have a waterproof tag, giving information about Hospiscare, the local business /organisation sponsoring the topper, and the maker’s name.  If the topper is themed on a local club/school/organisation, then we will also give details of that as well.  We can put QR codes on the tags.

What Do I Need to Consider When Making a Topper?

• Most post box toppers need to be on a base that is 58cm (22-23”) in diameter with a vertical lip of about 10cm (4”).  There are a few which are larger (66cm/26”) in diameter, but we can usually stretch the smaller ones if we need to.  There are also one or two small rectangular post boxes and a few built into large brick built pillars.
• We can supply knitting and crochet patterns for bases.  We also have a large amount of wool that has been donated to Hospiscare.  This is stored in a Hospiscare garage, near Exmouth Hospital.  I am happy to meet anyone there, if you want to come and pick some yarn up.
• We do have a few spare bases which just need to be decorated, and a few volunteers who just make bases.  Just let us know if you would like to do this, rather than making your own base.  
• If you don’t want to make a complete topper (or a base) but would like to make items to decorate a box, we always need anything ‘seasidey’, e.g. fish and other sea creatures, beach huts, ice creams, etc.  We also can make use of dinosaurs, people, cats and dogs.
• The theme this year includes:
• all things sea/coast (fish, sea creatures, sand castles, beach users, boats, etc.),
• Jurassic coast (dinosaurs, fossils, etc.),
• Children (we already have underway, a humpty dumpty, Mr. Men, and flower fairies),
• Anything which represents our communities, e.g. local organisations, clubs, associations and schools.

What Crafts Can Be Used?

Any craft (not just knitting or crochet) can be used to make a topper and the items to decorate it:

• As long as it is safe and stable, able to withstand inquisitive fingers whilst not causing harm.
• As long as it is colourfast (Post Office won’t appreciate it if we start discolouring their boxes!).
• It must be weatherproof – if you are using wool, then acrylic is better and less likely to shrink, stretch, or fade than natural fibres.
• Do not stuff or stabilise anything with paper, card, soil, cat litter, washable glue.  Glue guns are fine, but PVA glue will wash out if it rains.  Plastic bottles and yogurt pots are great fillers.
• Do not obscure or obstruct the slot and door of a post box.  If you have anything dangling from the topper, be sure to leave a gap of at least 30cm to allow for access to the box by postal workers.
• Let us know if you have used any wires, staples or spikes, to secure anything, so that we can make sure that warnings are included on the tag.
• Any decoration must not be offensive, or insulting.  Please refrain from obvious political bias or divisive campaigns.

So You Want to Get Involved in Making a Topper for Hospiscare!

Now that you have decided to make a topper (or toppers), bases, or items to decorate toppers, please:

1. Give me your name, email, and phone number.
2. What you want to make, e.g. topper(s), bases or decorative items.
3. Names of anyone else (or organisation) helping you make the topper(s) – this will go on the information tag.
4. A Name for your topper(s), e.g. Beach Wheelchairs, Under the Sea, etc. and a brief description of your theme.
5. Toppers need to be ready by no later than 10th May, so that we can collect, check them, allocate them to a post box and arrange for the printing of the maps and publicity material.
6. If you are happy to help put out, and/or to take down the toppers please let us know. Full instruction is provided.

If you have any questions, or need any help, please let me know and I or one of the organising team will be happy to assist.

Have a look at our photos, on our Facebook page (The Mail Trail - For Hospiscare) for more inspiration.