I wrote recently that BT are looking for councils to adopt their iconic "Jubilee" red public pay phones as part of a dismantling programme which would see the iconic phone boxes - without phone - adopted by parish councils, for the nominal fee of £1. The councils would then look after the boxes in the future.
I came across some novel ways villagers in other parts of the UK have used their adopted BT phoneboxes
A traditional red phone box has been recycled into one of the country's smallest lending libraries - stocking 100 books.
Villagers from Westbury-sub-Mendip in Somerset can use the library around the clock, selecting books, DVDs and CDs.
Users simply stock it with a book they have read, swapping it for one they have not.
A resident dreamed up the idea when the village lost its phone box and mobile library in quick succession.
Westbury-sub-Mendip Parish Council bought the phone box from BT in a national scheme for a token £1.
BT has received 770 applications for communities to 'adopt a kiosk', and so far 350 boxes have been handed over to parish councils.
Phone boxes have been turned into art installations, a shower and even a public toilet.
For more information, visit www.uttlesford.gov.uk/phoneboxes to see which boxes are affected and find out more about BT’s " adopt a kiosk " programme.
