The British Postal Museum and Archive Podcast

Why do we write to Saint Nick? How did it come to be this way, and how are things different around the world? Archives Assistant Ashley March delves into the Royal Mail Archive - and further afield - to explore the phenomenon of writing to Santa Claus. Warning! Not suitable for under-10s (contains spoilers!).

Graphic designer James Addison has been testing the Royal Mail’s delivery service through a series of peculiar envelopes containing nothing more than cryptic clues and puzzling addresses to see what lengths our humble posties will go to deliver our letters. Here he will be talking about his project, and explores similar artists who have challenged the postal system.

Sir Anthony Eden is best known for his lion-hearted leadership alongside Winston Churchill during the Second World War, but long before his finest hour, Eden fought his first battles in the trenches during the First World War. Examining recently re-discovered letters to his sister Marjorie Warwick, this talk re-assesses the concept of aristocratic noble war and explores how Eden and his family dealt with the horrors of the front line.

For 169 days in 2009 Julian Sayarer cycled 110 miles a day through 20 countries on his way to breaking the world record for a circumnavigation by bicycle. Reflecting on his 18,049 mile challenge, his book Life Cycles tells of his experiences on the road in a time of paper maps and before smart phones. In his talk, Julian will tell of his remarkable feat and the companionship he found in a notepad and letters while away from home.

200 years ago a great Victorian novelist was born, Anthony Trollope. But, as explored in this fascinating talk, his life extended far beyond his writing. Julian Stray will share with us the eventful postal career of Trollope. From his early days as a misbehaving clerk at postal headquarters to globe trotting troubleshooter and, remarkably, pioneer of the pillar box in 1852.

Accompanying PowerPoint to talk given on 26 March 2015: http://bit.ly/unstitchpp Discover the fascinating stories and rich social history hidden within the British Postal Museum & Archive’s Uniform Collection. Join Curator Joanna Espin, and explore the development of postal uniforms, the lives of the people who wore them, and the cultural significance they held.

11 September 1973 saw the military overthrow of the President of Chile. What followed was a brutal regime, under General Pinochet, which was to last 17 years, causing the death, torture and disappearances of thousands of men, women and children. This talk will look at the role the postal service unwittingly played during those years. From linking Chilean refugees and activists in the UK to help counter censorship, to raising awareness in the outside world of the horrors being played out in Chile.

How the city was divided into districts, introducing the postcode system as we know it today.

Talk with Royal Mail's official historian, exploring the company's long history.

Talk with Royal Mail's official historian, exploring the company's long history.

Talk with Royal Mail's official historian, exploring the company's long history.

The history of horse-drawn mails, from the Romans to the post-war period.

he history of horse-drawn mails, from the Romans to the post-war period.

Emma Harper explores how changes in the British postal system helped to develop a culture of letter writing in 19th and 20th Century Britain.

David Bramwell looks at the history of postal mischief and its key players, including Victorian prankster Reginald Bray and musician Genesis P.Orridge.