Nik - KOTM
2016-02-20 09:11:55
Apart from the die hard winter boxers, the new season of boxing is rapidly approaching. Having seen the latest updates... it is sort of looking rather dire.
It isn't all that long ago that the updates used to be full of new boxes.... every fortnight. I don't know what the reasons are behind this fall off, but I do feel letterboxing is in a state of flux. More areas seem to be blocking boxing on the land, usually by farmers clearing great numbers of boxes.
Perhaps we need to get a lot more new boxes out there, and none of the cheapo commercial stamps... well not too many... but how to stop them getting stolen? The last 7 boxes I put out all disappeared.
I do like to see if there is a box with an attached contact (email or mobile) where I can send an update on the state of the box.
However I will be down for the Spring meet... the first in a while...
whoisthechallenger
2016-02-21 19:58:27
Why so gloomy, Nik? A state of flux suggests an opportunity, a chance. The definition above is far more 'half full' than 'half empty' to me!
I will also be at the Spring meet. Something to look forward to there! :)
Nik - KOTM
2016-02-26 10:34:51
The thing is... I started boxing 25 years ago (is it really as long as that?) quite possibly when letterboxing was at its peak when there was anything up to 90,000 boxes on the moor. Since I started the numbers have been falling at a dramatic rate, clearance of Newtakes, clearance by farmers, removal by the DLT, and attrition of a lot of the old school boxers (death and fitness) etc.
But, the updates were, and are, a sign of the state of the "health" of letterboxing. We have recently lost all of the Lair Seekers view points and Guardian boxes due to bad health, and also while I am here, I send my best wishes to Mary Potter a speedy recovery.
The number of new boxes is pitiful... 9 in total for February's update. There used to be scores every two weeks. Malcolm seems to be struggling to find things get to fill the updates with.
Of all the boxes I have sited over the years, we have managed to get 4 recovered, the rest were stolen. :evil:
I am looking to put out some more boxes when I know I can stabilise my future which seems a little erratic atm. :?