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K6 TELEPHONE KISOK
The "K6" or "Jubilee" telephone kiosk was introduced in 1935 for King George V’s Silver Jubilee. The red phone box with its crown insignia, domed roof and the helpful name TELEPHONE across all four sides will never be surpassed as a design icon. It’s a unique reminder of our English heritage. Originally designed in 1920 by architect Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, of Liverpool Cathedral fame, it went through successive modifications until it achieved what many consider perfection as the K6 kiosk. Recognised throughout the world, Scott’s design is considered to be on a par with the red London Routemaster buses.
We in Barford Heritage Group, feel that the retention of Sir Giles Gilbert Scott’s telephone kiosk is not a sentimental exercise in nostalgia but a defence of the principle that the "utilitarian need not be ugly". Its aesthetic merit is appreciated by many people in Barford who would be very sad if it were to be removed .
British Telecom reached the decision that many public telephone kiosks were no longer financially viable because so many people now have mobile phones. They proposed that uneconomic kiosks should be offered to Parish Councils either to sponsor and retain the phone for an annual fee of £500, or, after decommissioning, to buy for only £1. This offer was not available to the general public.
The JPC, in a democratic vote on October 13th 2008, decided not to take upon themselves the ownership and responsibility of the kiosks in Barford and Wasperton as any expenditure above the £1 purchase price would have to go on the council tax via the precept. However, they were prepared to formally adopt the kiosks if all costs were borne by "a person or body of standing". With time fast running out, financial "meat" was quickly added to the "bones" of such an undertaking and it was calculated by the Chairman and Clerk that a sum of about £800 would indemnify the JPC from any current or future liability. The Barford Heritage Group agreed to underwrite this commitment in order to save this iconic feature of the Barford street scene.
Although the Group has received Heritage Lottery funding, what remains of that money is ring-fenced for specific projects. Any extra money has to be raised by our own efforts and by donations from well-wishers. We therefore propose staging events specifically to raise funds for the restoration and ongoing maintenance of the red telephone box which has been a feature of our street scene for almost 75 years. All contributions gratefully received!
