Crowland's red phone box reborn as information booth for town
A classic red telephone box has been given a new lease of life as an information booth telling people about the history of Crowland.
Visitors will be able to use the box to look at a map of the town - created by Sonia Rogers - and read information about Crowland’s past.
The box, on the corner of Albion Street, will also contains pictures showing how Crowland looked in days gone by in a bid to create an attraction for both tourists and locals.
It was officially opened on Saturday by resident Barbara Balding (84), of The Chase, who was born when the box was first installed in 1937.
She said she was ‘excited’ to cut the ribbon and pleased to see the Sir Giles Gilbert Scott-designed telephone box restored for future generations.
Crowland Parish Council bought the telephone box from BT for £1 when it began removing them from the streets.
It then worked with Crowland Red Telephone Box Association to find a new use - and location - for it.
The decision was made to place it within the town’s CCTV area to help keep it safe.
Association chairman Daniel Abbott said: “The restoration of Crowland’s telephone box has been a real community effort, with local businesses also offering assistance where needed.
“It’s gratifying that this project has now been completed, especially as the final stages of siting and officially opening the telephone box were delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are all delighted that an iconic object that has been part of the street furniture of Crowland for so long has been given new life.
‘We would like to thank everyone who has supported us during the last four years, and hope that the restored telephone box in its new role as a provider of information on the history of the town will attract visitors to open the door through its distinctive colour and design, and encourage them to learn more about Crowland and inspire them to explore.”
South Holland district councillors Jim Astill and Nigel Pepper used their ward budgets to help fund the project
Campaigners chose Saturday as it was the Queen’s official birthday and close to the centenary of the late Duke of Edinburgh.
This version of the red telephone box – the K6 – was created to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of King George V in 1935.