Royal Mail delivers second-class service to Plymouth Olympia

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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THE Royal Mail has rejected Plymouth's pleas for postboxes honouring Olympic heroes Ruta Meilutyte and Tom Daley.

But union man and former postie Chris Webb now has a brush at the ready – and is awaiting permission before getting artistic himself.

The Herald is backing a campaign to mark the city-based athletes' podium heroics with medal-coloured postboxes.

The Royal Mail vowed to paint the iconic objects gold in the home towns and cities of winning Team GB stars.

But 15-year-old Ruta, who stunned the swimming world by storming to gold in the 100m breaststroke, is being overlooked because she competed for Lithuania. And strict postal bosses are upholding their 'gold only' postbox-painting rules despite her Plymouth College schoolmate Tom clinching an emotional bronze in the men's diving.

Communication Workers Union's divisional representative Mr Webb is now taking matters into his own hands.

He has secured funding and resources for enough paint to honour both Olympians – if the Royal Mail gives his plan the stamp of approval.

In a letter to its chief executive Moya Greene, Mr Webb said: "Ruta...has been adopted by the people of our city.

"Tom Daley...has overcome personal tragedy and bore the weight of the nation on his shoulders. He secured a magnificent bronze medal on Saturday in front of 16million television viewers."

Mr Webb said one box could be painted gold and a second bronze. Alternatively, one could be painted half-and-half – or even in Team GB colours.

He has the backing of Plymouth City Council leader Tudor Evans amongst others.

"Communities across the UK want to recognise their heroes," Mr Webb added. "This is a huge chance for Royal Mail to demonstrate that it is in touch with our customers. There would not even be a cost."

The Herald has been unable to contact Ms Greene. Nobody else at Royal Mail has been able to say whether Mr Webb will be allowed to get painting.

But a Royal Mail spokesman said: "We have been asked about making exceptions for several athletes. There have been discussions but it has been decided that no further postboxes will be painted."

Following just over two weeks of sporting excellence, celebrations and show-stopping ceremonies, The Herald’s Sophie Taylor spoke to local residents to find out what they loved about the Olympics 2012.

WHILST the London Games may have ended, the hype and Olympic fever that encompassed the nation is apparently still very much present across the city.

As Plymouth’s star athletes prepare to make their way home, many residents say they now feel “at a loss” for what to do now the Games have finally come to a close. Many also said they want to see one of the city’s postboxes painted bronze to recognise Tom Daley’s achievements.

Lorraine Pink said: “Give Tom a bronze postbox - he’s a credit to our city and has worked extremely hard. He’s been through a lot and I’d like to see Royal Mail recognise his efforts.”

Douglas Howells agreed with Mrs Pink, adding that he thought Ruta should be given a gold postbox. He said: “I read that Ruta looks at Plymouth as her home and even though she’s not British it would be nice to give her a postbox for her gold medal.”

People across the city have been watching the Olympics avidly, with some saying they are sad to see it end.

Katie Nolan said: “I watched an awful lot of the Olympics and thought it was all really well planned. I loved the diving and the gymnastics and was so happy when Tom got a medal - it’s weird now it’s not on TV any more.”

Meanwhile, Ian Crosett said the whole London 2012 experience was “amazing”. He said: “The highlight for me was definitely the Saturday that Team GB got three medals in an hour - it was just incredible. I’m a bit lost as to what to watch now. I’m looking forward to the start of the Paralympics. I thought it was really impressive how non-sports fans embraced the Games too. There has certainly been a buzz around Plymouth and around the country too.

“It was especially great to see Tom medal and his reaction was so special. I’m glad the city got behind Ruta too and made her feel like one of our own.”

Gemma Witon said the highlight for her was watching Usain Bolt run, while Jane Allan, who works at the Life Centre, said seeing Tom get an Olympic medal was “really cool”.

Brian Mabbett, from Coventry, has been camping near the city throughout the Games. He said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the Games, even if we did have to listen to Tom win a medal on the radio as we had no television - the whole thing was really enjoyable.”

Olympic fans in the city also praised Danny Boyle’s opening and closing ceremonies.

Pat Gilligan said: “I loved the opening ceremony and the closing was great, too. Overall, I thought the whole Olympic experience was great.”

[oypostie]

Good to see that Royal Mail is always alert for a good piece of PR. For christs sake it'll only cost a bit of paint

[MGB]

They asked for this, they really did, how many stories have there been in here in the past two weeks?
Just give anyone who asks one, but then the rest will complain, so paint them all bronze, silver and gold, but then some people will complain they have substandard...
SO PAINT THEM ALL BLOODY GOLD, AND LEARN NOT TO SET THIS EXAMPLE AGAIN...

[Colin Best]

Gold Boxes for the Golden elite athletes who have dedicated every awaking hour to there given sport .
Being a sportsperson and knowing the total dedication and focus required to watch them train day in day out the total sacrifice and commitment yes lets bring it on change all Boxes Gold to cellabrate Within those city of these supreamly dedicated athletes.

[newtimes]

Gold Boxes for the Golden elite athletes who have dedicated every awaking hour to there given sport .
Being a sportsperson and knowing the total dedication and focus required to watch them train day in day out the total sacrifice and commitment yes lets bring it on change all Boxes Gold to cellabrate Within those city of these supreamly dedicated athletes.

The red boxes are dedicated to all the unsung heroes who work day in and day out doing crappy jobs so the 1% get richer.