No charges as Royal Mail says Lymington can have golden post

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ROYAL Mail chiefs have done a U-turn and agreed to paint a Hampshire post box gold in honour of Olympic sailing hero Ben Ainslie .

The pillar box near Ben’s Lymington home will be given an official golden glow after bosses backed down in the face of a huge campaign in the town.

And the Daily Echo can today also reveal that police have decided to take no further action against Lymington businessman Rob Smith, who illegally painted the High Street box himself last Saturday.

Mr Smith was arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage but will not now face any charges. Last night the 54-year-old businessman was overjoyed at the latest developments.

Mr Smith was working in his bar and restaurant at Lymington Yacht Haven when the Daily Echo contacted him and broke the news that the Royal Mail had backed down. He said: “I’m over the moon. It’s all I ever wanted for Ben, for Lymington, and everyone who has supported the campaign.”

Describing the decision as a victory for common sense, he added: “Thousands of people wanted the post box to be painted gold – I’m just the person who did it.

“Now it’s going to be done officially. The Royal Mail has been swayed by public opinion and has taken a very sensible decision.”

The town mayor, Councillor Jacqui England, also welcomed the climbdown.

“It’s really good that they’ve seen sense at the end of the day and listened to the public,” she said.

Over the past 16 years Ben has won four gold medals and a silver, making him the most successful sailor in Olympic history.

Following his latest triumph in Weymouth almost two weeks ago Lymington residents assumed that the Royal Mail would paint one of the town’s letter boxes gold in recognition of his achievement.

But bosses decided that the tribute should be staged in Restronguet, Cornwall, where Ben grew up and learnt to sail.

Last night officials backed down after approaching Ben and his agent, who were asked for their views.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: “There’s been a huge amount of interest in this. We understand the depth of feeling – Ben’s a local hero and sailing is very much part of the community.

“Ben loves the gold post box in Restronguet but would love to have one in Lymington as well – and we’re happy to oblige.”

Police said the decision to take no further action against Mr Smith was agreed before the Royal Mail changed its mind.

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Last night officials backed down after approaching Ben and his agent, who were asked for their views.

Wouldn't that have been the sensible approach in all of these cases?
Ask the athlete where they want the gold post box and then paint it...no come back,no whining from a village the athlete stayed in for two weeks when they were six years old..it sounds so simple you wonder how a PR department could miss it...but then you realise how poor our PR really is and it all makes sense.