Stratford: postbox № E15 27, The Grove

Image: © Chris Downer Taken: 1 Feb 2015

This Edward VIII-reign postbox is particularly rare. As he reigned for less than a year and abdicated in frowned-upon circumstances, boxes bearing his cipher are few and far between. There are perhaps just over 100 in present-day use - however, very few of the larger size pillar such as this one remain. The box is one of many across the country which, during the last quarter of 2014, have had alterations made to the collection times as part of the Royal Mail's "Collection on Delivery" scheme. The box is now emptied during the postman's delivery round, hence the (not earlier than) 9am stated on the box for weekdays. Below that, it explains that the nearby box at Morrison's supermarket, has a 4pm or later collection; and that the box at 64 Abbey Lane has the area's latest weekday time, 6:30pm. The scheme, which is being rolled out nationwide in late 2014/early 2015, affects mainly suburban postboxes which average fewer than 50 items posted per day. The information plates of affected boxes will gradually be updated, as this one already has, giving details of the nearest box with an afternoon weekday collection. The scheme aims to maintain all postboxes in the current network, safeguarding their existence while not being a costly exercise to go round in the evenings collecting from boxes which have very little in them. Railings have been removed from the edge of the pavement along here since Mike Quinn photographed the box in 2008 (see Image).

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