A Newcastle fan’s interactive crocheted post box topper which was stolen in the shadow of St James’ Park is back up after its creator tracked it down to a Gateshead pub.
Louise Bryant, 56, spent 30 hours crocheting the post box topper featuring Monty Magpie, a sign for Wor Flags, and a ball which plays “Tell me ma” when pressed. Several people had their pictures taken with it on their way to a 4-3 win against Nottingham Forest and an FA cup defeat against Brighton.
However, on Tuesday it was missing from the post box on St James’ Street in Newcastle city centre, just steps away from the stadium’s east stand. Louise told ChronicleLive: “I was gutted, it’s the expense, paying for the speaker, it took me over 30 hours to do.
“I think I’m the only one who has done an interactive one! But then on the other hand, I have got to expect it as well.”
Annoyed and upset that something she’d created to bring joy to fans had most likely been taken, she put a post up on Facebook calling for its safe return, and promising “no questions asked”. Within hours, it had been shared more than 2,000 times and she had hundreds of messages and friend requests.
One stood out, from a man saying that he knew where the post box topper was. Louise said: “I had said no questions asked, but I wanted to ask him loads – I wondered if he wanted ransom money!”
(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
The topper had somehow made its way to the Azure Blue pub in Gateshead, where a punter was reportedly trying to sell it on. A member of staff, who had seen the Facebook post, took it from him and contacted Louise – who picked it up on Wednesday night.
On Thursday, ChronicleLive met Louise as she reinstalled the topper, where she hopes it will remain at least until Sunday. If the Magpies bring the trophy home, she is planning to crochet a cup and add it later – but hasn’t started work on that just yet.
Louise finished: “I don’t want to start it yet and jinx things – but I think it will be 2-1. To us of course!”
(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
Louise, who has been crocheting for just two-and-a-half-years, often puts her Newcastle United themed creations on the post box closest to her home in Cramlington village. Incredibly, she doesn’t follow patterns for her crocheting and “makes it up as she goes along”.
Her other creations include everything from Spongebob Squarepants, to a seagull eating chips, to a Scottish bagpiper in his kilt for Burns’ Night – with nothing left to the imagination! She often gifts them to friends when they are replaced.
View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/newcastle-fan-crocheted-postbox-topper-31195567
