A woman with grey hair stands next to a postbox with an elaborate knitted topper including santa's sleigh and reindeer

News / Yarn bombing

‘How can I stop now?’ asks prolific Bristol yarn bomber

By Mary Milton  Monday Dec 23, 2024

Knitter Judy McIntosh has been left stunned by cards and presents left for her by strangers at Sea Mills post office.

Judy knits colourful and creative toppers for the nearby post box. Her latest is a full set of miniature reindeer with red-nosed Rudolph at the front pulling Santa’s sleigh.

One letter left for Judy, accompanied by a box of chocolates says: “You bring a smile to every person every single day… I believe there is a hope of making a better world with lots of angels like you.”

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A knitted postbox topper of santa's sleigh pulled by reindeer, with Rudolph at the front

Nine knitted reindeer, led by the red-nosed Rudolf pull Santa’s sleigh into the air

The toppers are in fact something of a joint effort. While Judy is the master knitter, it’s her husband Alan who is charged with the ‘engineering’ of attaching the creations to the post box.

The Christmas offering was a particular challenge as Alan had to build a framework which creates the illusion that the reindeer are flying through the air. Thanks to his engineering, Rudolph and Santa survived Storm Darragh.

It’s a continuing commitment as Judy checks the topper everyday and makes adjustments as needed.

“I’m already working on my Valentine’s Day topper,” Judy says. “How can I stop now?”

Mary Milton is reporting on Sea Mills as part of Bristol24/7’s community reporter scheme, a project which aims to tell stories from areas of Bristol traditionally under-served by the mainstream media     

All photos: Mary Milton

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