We will be celebrating with events and activities throughout 2016
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The greatest survival Story of all time. Sir Edmund Hillary words describing the exploits of Ernest Shackleton and his crew. We are proud to present a Special issue to mark the centenary of this epic journey. It centres around eight Special Stamps created from the glass photographic plates made by Frank Hurley during the expedition.
As part of Royal Mail's 500 years celebrations, we are sponsoring a race at The Prince’s Countryside Fund Raceday at Ascot Racecourse on 3 April 2016. Horses play an important role in our 500-year history. Letters were first carried by single riders on horseback. In the 18th century, horse-drawn mail coaches were introduced on routes around the country, including London to Norwich, Liverpool, Leeds and more.
As part of our 500 years celebrations, we are re-enacting historic mail routes in our UK capital cities in June. On Saturday 4 June we will be in Cardiff. Look out for our impressive horse-drawn mail coach, which will trace a short route through the city centre - Cardiff Mail Centre to Cardiff Bay Pierhead Building, 09:30 – 11:30.
As part of our 500 years celebrations, we are re-enacting historic mail routes in our UK capital cities in June. On Tuesday 7 June we will be in Edinburgh. Look out for our impressive horse-drawn mail coach, which will trace a short route through the city centre - Regent Road to Queen’s Drive, Holyrood Park, starting at 13:30.
As part of our 500 years celebrations, we are re-enacting historic mail routes in our UK capital cities in June. On Saturday 11 June we will be in Belfast. Look out for our impressive horse-drawn mail coach, which will trace a short route through the city centre - Royal Mail, Donegall Quay to Titanic Belfast, 14:30 – 15:30.
As part of our 500 years celebrations, we are re-enacting historic mail routes in our UK capital cities in June. On Saturday 18 June we will be in London. Look out for our impressive horse-drawn mail coach, which will trace a short route through the city centre before ending at Guildhall Yard, Gresham Street. There will also be activities showcasing Royal Mail’s history in the Guildhall courtyard between 11:00 – 17:00.
1800s The UK’s oldest working post boxes
1600s Launch of Royal Mail’s Investigation Department
1500s Sir Brian Tuke
1800s The first postage stamp; Queen Victoria 1d black – the Penny Black (1840)
1800s Postboxes: the start of the legend
1800s Use of the Royal cypher on post boxes
1900s Intelligent letter sorting machines (ILSMs)
1800s Telegrams