Knitted Postbox Toppers

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Hello, reader!

Welcome to this Friday’s edition of The 8:01

In this week’s newsletter, we cover:

• Knowing your neighbours

• Knitted Postbox Toppers

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Knowing Your Neighbour

I came across some research this week from Kings College London looking at neighbourly relations. The research shows the UK is ranked 4th from a list of 24 countries who “Trust their neighbour” (84%). I also found some older research from the Co-Op and Neighbourhood Watch that states only 23% of Londoners know all their neighbours.

All of which has inspired this week’s poll.

Knitted Postbox Toppers

Following on from the VE Day celebrations, I contacted the creator of the wonderful knitted cover on the High Street, which in fact is the work of two people, Nicola Ross and her mum, Dot.

Dot is a retired primary school teacher and has been knitting her whole life. Nicola, is a mum to two kids, 19 & 16, and has been knitting for around 14 years and now crochet too. Nicola started knitting after her son was diagnosed with autism which helped her mental health, especially important after her daughter was diagnosed with T1 Diabetes.

The postbox topper for VE 80 is the third they have done. The first was for the King’s Coronation and the second was just Nicola creating a wreath of poppies on the postbox by Chislehurst War Memorial for Remembrance.

Dot and Nicola both attend the Knit & Knot on a Friday morning at Chislehurst Library and used to belong to a group at Chislehurst Methodist Church. Whilst there, they created several knitted displays for Harvest & Christmas festivals, including a tree at the Christmas Tree Festival.

They have taken the VE 80 topper down now, but plan to put it up again to commemorate VJ 80 in August. They also have others planned for Remembrance and Christmas later in the year.

In Town

19 - 21 May: Pint of Science Festival 2025
Various locations across London, including London Bridge and Waterloo.

Pint of Science is an annual worldwide science festival with various researchers popping up in various pubs, cafes and exhibition spaces with a focus on sharing their scientific discoveries with us. These are informal sessions where conversation is encouraged between scientists and the public.

You can see full details on the Pint of Science Website.

See you next, Friday!
Simon

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