The Number One Phone Box by JeffG7BRJ
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Description
A bit of background about me first. I was born in Littleborough in the county Lancashire, NorthWest UK. Between Littleborough and Rochdale(home of the Co-op) there was an Hospital called Birch Hill Hospital, my birth certificate lists me as being registered at Birch Hill, although I was an home birth. The year is not relevant but it was 1948 the same year as the National Health Service started and also the same year that Prince Charles was born. Enough background.
Whilst visiting the Tramway Museum, I saw this phone box and thought to myself "I recognise that, where have I seen it?" I was puzzeled for quite a while and could not bring to mind where I had seen it before, then I decided to have a read of the guide book that you can buy at the entrance, I found mine! In the book it gives some infromation regarding the phone box. The information is " This ornate telephone box is a "Number One" design and it came from the grounds of a Rochdale Hospital(Birch Hill). It is the only button A & B phone in Britain still working on the British Telecom system". Straight away I thought "Blimey thats where its from, outside the nurses quarters near to the maternity and heart wards.
I know a lot of you will have no idea what I am going on about, it is a very old telephone system, when you entered the phone box you had to put four pence(four old english pennies) into the slot and press button A if some one picked up at the other end, if no one answered the phone then you pressed button B to get your money back. Unfortunately I did not have enough time to check out the inside to see how it catered for decimilisation.
Thanks for stopping by for a look and for any comments that you care to make.
May the sun shine down on you where ever you are.
I am running late today so I do apologise, if I have not got round to your home page, I will be back as Arnie says.
Comments (22)
MrsLubner
A fascinating story all around! The fact it was from YOUR hospital is startling and exciting but hearing how the phone systme once operated is outstanding! I had never heard of such a thing but what a fair practice it was! Wonderful shot, of course, and an extraordinary story.
SSoffia
BEAUTIFUL IMAGE !!!!!
tr4cey
I love 'proper' phone boxes... Ok, Red metal ones... I always remember the one near my Nana's house, I used to call my mum from there to let her know I was on my way home, or to say I'd got there safely! But, that was after decimalisation and the coins were 5p and 10p I think! Lol Great shot Jeff, and love your history lessons!
artaddict2
Fascinating bit of information Jeff although I know you have already explained it all to me before. Great pov. You got the red door in full with a bit of the side view. Excellent telecommunication History.
camilledubuc
very good capture,bravo.
elmurray
I used to go in every phone box I saw and press the B button to see if any money came out! A great nostalgic shot!!
Ionel
Very beautiful capture and interesting information, Jeff! Too bad I cannot see Eileen checking for money inside the phone box!!! :)
rainbows
This is such a wonderful shot, Jeff. Beautiful colours, like our flag :-) Such a small world.. eh! I am old enough (JUST) to remember all you are talking about here!! So nice to know more about your background.. LOL @elmurray/dear Eileen's comment :-) I must have been behind the door, never thought of pressing button B to get money out!! Have a wonderful eventime... "May the stars shine down on you", dear Arnie :-) Hugs. Diane
stevey3d
Superb phone box! Excellent capture, great exposure and framing. Love the colours! 5+
trishabadblood
love it ...wonderful capture ... beautiful colors ...interesting information.. very good shot..
aljaysart
Very interesting information you gave us there jeff and thanks for sharing it with us, Great capture of this ole phone kiosk aint seen one of these before. looks like doctor whos tardis appart from the colours LOL.
jocko500
wish all pay phones work like that. I remember seeing them in movies of 1930's cool shot[dr who have one like this?]
Leeco
It has been many many years since I saw a real four sided @ a door phone booth (box) here in the US but we actually had them at one time - that was in the days of rotary dialing and there was a return coin slot for unsuccessful connections and yes, as a child, I also checked that slot for forgotten coins. I also remember all those times that Clark Kent went into a phone booth and Superman came out, lol. Truth be told though, my first thought upon seeing this pic was, “The box should be blue". That is because when I think of an English phone box, I think of the "Doctor Who" series on TV, lol. I have no idea if England ever even had blue ones. Nice pic and thanks for sharing. Lee
RobyHermida
VERY NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Richardphotos
there are no phone booths here enclosed no more. all open to the elements.the few left are in museums like this.very interesting history and I have a few years on you
tallpindo
I once saw a post box in Canada and it was like seeing grandma naked. We Americans are posted on the British penchant for secrecy. Actually finding the telephone from the hospital where you were born is like meeting a person walking their dog and realizing that the node of rendezvous is "son of a bitch."
KarmaSong
Very interesting narrative and a nice capture. Though I was not born in your country, I still remember the fascination for all those ingredients of British life as I was learning English and visiting England, and the popular ER red phone-boxes were part of my earliest recollections of this country.
auntietk
How fun, to have discovered the telephone from the hospital where you were born! I wonder, though, how the nurses make their calls now that their phone has been taken away? :) Thanks for all the history - fascinating stuff!
Fred255
Super example of a very old phone box. This is the type of photo, that's crying out for the selective colour treatment. Turn the background to either black and white, or sepia would have made this really super photo a master piece.
tizjezzme
Your read is interesting Jeff .. Love this photo!
Fidelity2
Very well done. 5+.
DennisReed
Dr Who? :) Delightful History! When do you recall the 1st/last time you saw it on the grounds of a Rochdale Hospital(Birch Hill)?