Local History

Many of us have been sorry to see the good old British red phone boxes dying out over the last few years. The spread of mobile phones means less and less of us use public payphones.

Bickenhill's 'adopted' phonebox

BT has been withdrawing may of the iconic red kiosks from service, but have launched an initiative called 'Adopt a Kiosk' where communities can preserve their red phone boxes.

In Bickenhill in Solihull they were determined not to lose theirs, so they bought it from BT, for the princely sum of one pound.

The council has now officially adopted the kiosk - minus the payphone - to ensure it remains as a permanent fixture on St Pete's Lane for genrations to come.

Jubilee kiosk

The famous Gilbert Scott designed K6 or Jubilee kiosk was launched in 1936 to celebrate King George V’s silver jubilee.

Phonebox 'sculpture' near Tamworth

By the 1960’s almost 70,000 kiosks could be found across the countryside, and while the public payphone service has undergone enormous changes since then, the traditional red kiosk had already forged itself as an iconic symbol of British life.

Save your local phonebox

Communities have until November 1 to decide if they want to sponsor or adopt their local box. You can find out more at www.payphones.bt.com