Letter: The sad demise of the iconic telephone box
Ringing the changes with future of phone boxes in spotlight, (The Star, Wednesday, November 13). What a most interesting and honest feature regarding the demise of the iconic telephone box. I love to see the old red telephone boxes and from time to time still use them. I thought readers may be interested in hearing my telephone box story, a story from further down the line.
A few years ago, located on the platform end of St Ives station in Cornwall, were once two modern 1980s KX100 designed telephone boxes. On this particular day, I managed to squeeze my camera and tripod into one box and through three panes of glass managed to obtain the above picture. These two telephone boxes were very underused and looked very neglected and before I composed the picture, I had to clean the windows of you know what, those dirty seagulls! Also, I got some strange looks from passengers waiting on the platform, what is that man doing?
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Hide AdLooking back to that hot summer day, I like to think my efforts were worthwhile for the following year, 2017, the two telephone boxes were cut and swept away and I guess most people never even noticed that they had gone.
In respect of the telephone box and its demise, I put together a poem which could relate to any surviving telephone box in Britain including The Star readership area. Hope you find my letter and poem of interest.
Just a few lines from St Ives, by Stephen Gay
Hello from St Ives in Cornwall
I've arrived at the station end of the line
Calling from a 1985 built telephone box
One of the KX100 design
It's located just outside this branch terminus
And a couple of these boxes still stand
What a place to make a call
The stunning seaside views are grand
There is many a kiosk in this resort
Selling everything for that sweet tooth
But not much business here today
In this neglected telephone booth
The mobile phone is their biggest enemy
All around the country boxes are being shut
Like the Beeching report did to the railways
Sooner or later these lines will be cut
Made from aluminium, glass and plain panels
They lack that red box look of tradition
And too young to warrant listing
So sadly will await closure and demolition
But before they disappear for good
Can I ask of you a favour?
Please come inside and make a call
You may become their saviour
I'll have to hang up now and finish my call
Remember the dialling code of 01736 applies
Picture this the handset and railway
Just a few lines from St Ives
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