New home for post box (From Stroud News and Journal)

New home for post box

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A FAMILIAR landmark in the High Street in Stroud was removed on Monday despite protests from the Town Centre manager and a militant pensioner. Royal Mail bosses moved the classic Victorian pillar box and relocated it to Lypiatt View in Bussage. The postbox was sealed up after a postman was injured by a needle in August 2000. The injured man was never publicly identified but he had a nervous wait of several months before HIV tests gave him the all clear. The box has remained sealed ever since. Royal Mail spokesman Don Veale said the safety and security of post men and women was the main priority: "The postbox had been continually abused so it was decided to seal it off," he said. Town centre manager Vicky Hancock said she had previously written to the Royal Mail to ask that the pillar box be reinstated. "We wanted to keep the postbox in the High Street," she said "We see no reason why it could not be used. "The postbox is as safe as any other postbox in the town." Stroud Pensioner, Ivor Danes was sorry to see the postbox go. He said:"If I was younger I would have been tempted to chain myself to the box." But shop owner Pat Rollins who owns Pure just next to where the postbox stood said he was pleased the decision had been made. "I am very happt it has gone," he said. "Since it has not been used it has become an eyesore with people leaving bill stickers on it along with graffiti. "It was a nice box but it wasn't looked after properly."