Restored 1930s telephone box gifted to lieutenant governor

The telephone box was originally located on Pinfold Hill in Laxey

A restored telephone box given to the Isle of Man's lieutenant governor marks a "connection to our community and our heritage", Manx Telecom has said.

Designed in 1935 by architect Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, the kiosk was originally situated on Pinfold Hill in Laxey, where it had been for many years.

The piece was unveiled at its new home in the grounds of Government House.

The telecoms firm said it was a "lasting symbol of British and Manx communications culture".

A number of teams from Manx Utilities and Manx Telecom took part in the six-month restoration project.

There were as many as 60,000 of the kiosks across the UK and overseas territories before their number fell due to the introduction of mobile phones.

While the red telephone boxes were a familiar sight on the streets in the past, there has been a significant decline in use in recent years, with many on the island repurposed into defibrillator hubs or community libraries.

The restored piece was officially unveiled by Sir John Lorimer and Lady Philippa Lorimer

Manx Telecom chief executive Gary Lamb said he was grateful that the "small piece of the island's telecommunications history" could be preserved.

By gifting it to Government House he said it was "contributing to the preservation of Manx history".

The kiosk was "not just a relic of the past" but a "symbol of our connection to our community and our heritage", he added.

Sir John Lorimer said he and his wife Lady Philippa were "deeply honoured" to receive the telephone box as a "wonderful addition to the beautiful gardens of Government House".

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