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?

Looking 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