The iconic red telephone box (or kiosk as they are more formally known) that sits beside the Street Forge Workshops in Thornham Magna is to be decommissioned by BT. The relentless invasion of mobile telephony means that traditional telephone boxes are redundant as functional entities - but are they something more than that? More importantly, do you want to keep it?

Designed in the1920s by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott the kiosks have achieved a cultural significance that far exceeds their functional design. Where once they were vilified for their rather incongruous red colour they are now considered part of our cultural heritage and a classic British Icon.

As a community we have the option of retaining our kiosk - either by "Adoption" or by "Sponsorship".

"Sponsorship" involves the village paying around £500 / year for the upkeep of the telephone service - clearly not a viable nor even desirable (for the majority) option.

"Adoption" means BT will remove the telephone and sell the Kiosk to us for £1. In addition, it would cost the village around £15 - £20 per year to cover the mains power supplied to the kiosk to light it.

You can find more information on both options here.

So, British icon or blot on the landscape? Cultural heritage or useless cast iron cubicle? Would you like to keep it? Vote now using the poll on the right or pass on your thoughts to the parish meeting by This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   ASAP - if we don't act quickly, the opportunity will pass and the box will be removed...