Council installs borough's second memorial post box
Oldham Council has installed a second memorial post box at Failsworth Cemetery, allowing relatives to send letters to deceased loved ones. The initiative was inspired by Matilda Handy from Nottinghamshire and funded by local councillors. The first post box was opened earlier at Hollinwood Crematorium.
A white memorial post box now stands inside the entrance to Failsworth Cemetery, giving mourners a place to send birthday cards, Christmas greetings and unsent letters to relatives who have died.
The borough’s second “letters to heaven” box was funded by Failsworth East ward councillors Brian Hobin and Neil Hindle from their ward budgets, following the success of the first installation opened earlier this year at Hollinwood Crematorium.
Councillor Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council, said: “The memorial box allows family and friends to remember their loved ones in a special way. Any resident can visit and post their special message. It gives people the chance to post a birthday card, Christmas card, or the last card or letter that they may not have had the chance to send. I’d like to thank councillors Hobin and Hindle for using their ward budgets to come up with this thoughtful gesture, I’m sure it’ll be appreciated.”
The nationwide idea originated five years ago with Nottinghamshire schoolgirl Matilda Handy, who suggested the boxes after losing both grandparents. Councils across England, Scotland and Wales have since replicated the scheme. Every letter placed in Oldham’s memorial post boxes remains sealed and unread, the council confirmed.
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