The Ambridge phone box
5 February 2009

Ambridge's red telephone box, standing proudly by the green and near the Village Shop, has been under threat of removal. Martha Woodford, who kept it clean and adorned with flowers for many years, would be appalled. But, although it will no longer be a functioning phone box, it has been saved, along with hundreds of "real life" boxes..



In 2007, BT announced plans to remove up to 9,000 little-used phone boxes. Thanks to the growth of mobile phones, 6,000 of them were used less than once a month. But communities often valued these iconic structures. Indeed the classic red phone box has been voted an Icon of England - a celebrated status it shares with The Archers

So BT announced two schemes. Local councils could "sponsor a kiosk", paying a contribution of £500 a year to maintain the box in full working order. Or they could "adopt a kiosk", buying the box (without its phone) for £1, retaining it for the cosmetic and heritage value.

In the country at large, BT has received 740 applications from communities who wish to adopt their local piece of telecommunications history.

Ambridge has followed other towns and villages such as Lighthorne, Warwickshire and Seaton, Rutland in adopting its telephone box. While Seaton residents seem happy for the box to remain as street furniture, Lighthorne parish council canvassed opinions on what the saved kiosk could be used for. In a poll of over 70 residents, ideas ranged from a greenhouse, a disco, a fish tank, a mini art gallery and a cafe/shelter for dog walkers.

Ambridge too has ambitions for its telephone box - although not quite as creative as Lynda's ideas to turn it into a work of art, such as Banksy's melted one. Lilian's successful proposal of an information booth seems simple enough. But the devil may well be in the detail...

History of the red telephone box

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