A woolly piece of Bedford’s community craft has gone walkabout, and its creator is hoping it finds its way home, “no questions asked”.
The mystery began when a handmade post box topper, created to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, disappeared from the corner of Rothsay Road and The Embankment.
It had been placed there on 15 August, the closest box to the town’s war memorial, and brought smiles to passersby all week.
But by Saturday, 23 August, it had vanished.
“It was a bit of fun,” said the anonymous maker, who prefers to go by the name Wanda Wool. “I went to collect it that day, and it had gone. I’d really love to get it back, even if it’s now a bit scruffy.”
A few eagle-eyed locals reported seeing someone carrying the topper in the early hours of that Saturday morning. But Wanda’s not interested in pointing fingers.
“I just want it back”
“It sounds like a prank done in high spirits,” she said. “I don’t mind where it was taken from or what condition it’s in now, I’d just really like it back if possible. I’m hoping to reuse some of it to make something new for Remembrance.”
Wanda is a proud member of the Beds Clangers (the local group of the Royal British Legion Riders), although she jokes she “can’t actually ride” and chose that particular post box because of its proximity to the war memorial.
Since sharing her appeal on Facebook, there’s been an outpouring of kindness, with people offering wool and support. But she’s now removed her original post to stop things getting too heated.
“I just want people to feel kind towards whoever returns it,” she added. “We all make mistakes, and sometimes things go missing in the name of mischief. But this topper made people smile, and it would be lovely to see it again.”
If you’ve spotted the topper, or it’s hanging out in your hallway after a night out, you can quietly return it to the post box near the memorial, leave it at a local pub or library, or pass it to someone you trust to get it home.
You could even leave it with the county representative of the Beds Clangers or email news@bedfordindependent.co.uk anonymously to let us know if you’ve left it in a safe place for collection.
Wanda says she doesn’t want to create drama; she wants to give people a chance to smile again.
