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Going For Gold ...

For this week's Sunday Challenge, for which the theme was anywhere you can receive or send mail.

Royal Mail painted more than 100 of its iconic and much-loved red post boxes gold to celebrate each and every gold medal won during the London 2012 Olympic Games and subsequent Paralympic Games.

The post boxes are to remain permanently gold to mark the achievements of the athletes and the historic Games. There's even a dedicated website which shows where the Gold Postboxes are to be found across the UK.

This particular one located in Ingleby Barwick was painted to celebrate Katherine Copeland winning gold in the women's lightweight double sculls. Kat Copeland, as she's more commonly known, had only been in the senior GB Rowing Team squad for two seasons when she and Sophie Hosking won their historical medal, the first Olympic title ever for the GB lightweight women’s squad.

The look of wide-eyed disbelief on Kat’s face at the end of the race has become one of the most memorable images of London 2012. And although after the Games Sophie Hosking retired and Kat herself took a break away from the sport she soon returned to competition and went on to win several major events with new partner Charlotte Taylor.

Sadly though they did not do well at the recent Rio Games where they were knocked out at the repechage stage. However, the look of sheer joy and disbelief on her face after winning gold in 2012 has forever earned her a place in the heart of the nation.

If you didn't see the race, or simply want to watch and enjoy Kat's reaction once again simply click here.

As for Kat's gold post box I've included an overall shot of it in the Notes for those who may never have seen one of them before.

Also, belatedly for Sight and Sound, what else but Spandau Ballet and Gold ...

youtu.be/ntG50eXbBtc

youtu.be/gSq8ZBdSxNU

youtu.be/VQ4qrcHyYj4
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65 comments

Valfal said:

A fabulous find, and thanks so much for sharing the history behind this postbox, Paul; I had no idea that UK celebrated their Olympic gold metal winners in this fashion! And as usual, you captured the image(s) beautifully! :-))
8 years ago

autofantasia replied to Valfal:

Glad you like it Val and many thanks for adding it into your faves. I think it was a great idea, just a shame that it was only for the so-called 'home games' of 2012 ... no such recognition for those returning from Rio with gold! :(
8 years ago

Coco said:

OMG, brings tears to my eyes to see these wonderful young athletes so happy. They earned the joyous reaction.
8 years ago

autofantasia replied to Coco:

Glad you enjoyed seeing the video! :)
8 years ago

Amazingstoker said:

Nice composition and crop, works well.

I almost did a gold box near here, in Bentworth, which is unusual in that the Post Office originally painted a box gold for Peter Charles in the wrong place, Alton. They ended up leaving both painted gold as he was born in Bentworth but the official Olympic blurb says he's from Alton . . .
8 years ago

autofantasia replied to Amazingstoker:

Interesting tale about the 'two' boxes for Peter Charles ... makes me wonder if they have both of them listed on that website I provided a link for? ;)
8 years ago

Jan said:

Like the crop and great idea !
I was going to go out to photograph some which I knew I had seen on my hols.
8 years ago

autofantasia replied to Jan:

Yes, I did wonder if I might see a few more crop up in the challenge ... so far though, touch wood, it seems to have been an original shoot! ;)
8 years ago

Taormina said:

very royal.... wow
8 years ago

autofantasia replied to Taormina:

Glad you like it Katja! :)
8 years ago ( translate )

Delirium said:

+++
8 years ago ( translate )

autofantasia replied to Delirium:

:)
8 years ago ( translate )

Gudrun said:

Love the detail-it looks so much better than the whole postbox!
8 years ago

autofantasia replied to Gudrun:

Thanks Gudrun ... must admit to doing a little work on it in the 'processing room' to get it to look quite how I wanted it too. Pleased you like how it turned out and thanks for the star! :)
8 years ago

Dida From Augsburg said:

Totally agree with Gudrun - great detail shot!
8 years ago