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Lund WI, based in Newton with Scales, installed the post box topper at Newton Bluecoat Church of England School on Friday, in time for the annual Newton, Clifton and Salwick Field Day.

Several members have been actively involved with Newton Bluecoat over the years in a voluntary capacity.

Many of them, or their relatives, attended themselves, “so the post box topper was another natural link with the school”, the group says.

Pictured left, Jane Murden, Pam Metcalf, President Anne Armstrong, Rosey Webster and Anne Horne, some of The Women's Institute who have knitted a bright topper for the post box opposite Newton Bluecoat Church of England Primary School, Newton with Scales, pictured with pupils and head teacher Mrs Robinson.

At one of their monthly “Knit and Natter” sessions, Lund Wi conceived a “Teddies and Friends” all-year Jubilee party; and as members had seen post box toppers popping up in Lytham and along the Fylde coast, they felt it would be a good idea to do the same in Newton with Scales.

This would celebrate the year of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and “strengthen community links”.

One member, Anne Horne, suggested using the post box outside Newton Bluecoat School, because she felt that the children would love to see the creatures on the topper as they came out of school each day.

Anne is a retired senior teacher, former pupil and part time teacher at the school, at which her father also taught, and her three children attended.

The bright knitted topper for the post box opposite Newton Bluecoat Church of England Primary School.

She said: “It was so lovely to see the reaction of the children this afternoon and I am so happy that they will be able to enjoy the topper… Hopefully, the WI will be able to sustain links with NBS.

"It has been a pleasure meeting and co-ordinating this project.

“It was wonderful to see the interest and enthusiasm generated on the happy faces of the children as they spilled out of school at the end of the day as the individual creatures and party items were sewn one by one onto the base.

“There is no doubt that the yarn bombing of post boxes makes people smile! Lund WI believes that after the last couple of years, we all need something to smile about.”

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The postbox topper depicts a royal tea party, with a feast of food laid out for the collection of animals, which includes a special royal visit by one of the Queen’s corgis.

Headteacher Elizabeth Robinson said: “We were delighted that the WI chose the post box outside of Newton Bluecoat CE School.

"The children were fascinated when they first saw it. They gathered around and asked endless questions about it. We placed steps in front of the post box so that the children could see more easily. The tea party is so bright and colourful and is a wonderful addition to the front of school.”

Lund WI, which celebrated its centenary year in 2021 and has over 50 members, meets at Newton, Clifton and Salwick village hall on the third Thursday of each month at 7.30pm, with speakers, competitions and of course, tea and cakes.

They also have a monthly knit and natter group hosted by the Bell and Bottle, and new members are always welcome.

Lund Women's Institute knit post box topper for Newton Bluecoat School to brighten pupils' days and celebrate jubilee