*** UPDATED 26th August – See end of article ***
It was brought to our attention last week that Luccombe’s red phone box has been slated for removal by British Telecom. Although the phone itself is very rarely in use, the red phone box is an iconic symbol in the village and many agree it should remain and be used for something else, such as a village library, greenhouse or housing for a defibrillator should one be acquired for the community.
Some local residents have already offered to take care of the phone box and repaint it and some of the Parish Councillors are making enquiries with the local authority as to whether the box may be allowed to remain where it is, for other purposes. If anyone has additional suggestions for use or is interested in helping us to preserve the box if it remains in the village, please send us a message or let us know your views in the comments section below.
UPDATE
Luccombe Parish Council have been in touch with Exmoor National Park – who BT did not bother to inform that they were removing the phone box despite the notice in the kiosk telling those who wish to comment on the removal to contact the local authority.
However, having had it drawn to their attention, ENP have agreed to apply for the phone box to be officially listed for preservation as it is not only a feature of the village, but is also within the conservation area in the village. As such the phone box is mentioned in the Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Report Series No 15 LUCCOMBE CONSERVATION AREA: APPRAISAL DOCUMENT
The fact that it is mentioned in the document must count in favour of preserving it. However, even if it is listed BT have a record of not maintaining such kiosks and it may be up to people in Luccombe to volunteer to keep up appearances.
If it is not agreed that the kiosk be listed it will be a matter for negotiation with BT and a willingness on the part of the village to find a use for it and maintain it – which some residents have already kindly volunteered to do.
Before I make a lengthy comment on this subject, just a short note to say that if the Parish Council raise an objection to BT’s closure proposal within the statutory period (I think it is about 40 days), then the service will not be removed. This certainly used to be the case.
I am a bit of a telephone kiosk ‘geek’ and will do some research regarding future use. The kiosk can certainly remain ‘ in situ’ if it is adopted by the Parish Council.
Older residents may remember our “Save our Kiosk” campaign, and when it was replaced by BT following serious damage following attempts by thieves to steal its cashbox.
Long may it remain on The Green.
Thank you Eric this is really helpful I shall pass it on to Henry 🙂
As a follow-up to my last post, there are many ideas on the internet for alternative uses. I suggest visiting https://www.clerksandcouncilsdirect.co.uk/content.asp?id=18 for starters-
however I would not be keen if our kiosk was turned into “The World’s Smallest Nightclub” as happened in Kingsbridge, Devon!
Can I make a suggestion: As it is presumably not yet certain that the mobile project will be successful, the Parish Council should initially object to the closure notice, citing OFCOM’s recommendation that kiosks should not be removed in areas of poor mobile coverage. Once the mobile signal is established, I am sure that BT would then be only too happy to accept our £1 for the kiosk.
Although it is not listed, I am sure that there is some sort of protection order on it, dating from the 1993 campaign.
Apparently BT will continue to supply power for the internal light, even after adoption.
Incidentally the 1993 campaign was not to prevent it from being removed, it was to prevent its replacement with a more modern KX kiosk.
I will post any further observations if they come to me.
It is good news that the ENP are actively pursuing listing our kiosk. I agree that this is no guarantee that BT will give it a lick of paint, but at least it should prevent its removal. It seems strange to me that the nearby kiosks in Allerford and Bossington both seem to have been maintained to a much higher standard compared to ours. It is also great to learn that there are residents who are prepared to volunteer to improve its current appearance should it be adopted.
I am very happy to help maintain the box and feel that it is an important part of village history and appearance. Thank you for pursuing its retention.
I was pleased to see in the minutes of the October Parish Council meeting that common sense has prevailed and our telephone kiosk will be continuing as a functioning means of communication at least for the foreseeable future. Let us not forget that there may be a change of heart at BT should the local mobile phone signal improve and that the possibility of “adoption” be kept in mind.
Well done to all of those involved in the campaign to “save the box”.
Good luck and I hope you keep the telephone box.