2012

NF6704 : Cleit: postbox № HS9 2 and phone

taken 12 years ago, near to Cleat, Barra, Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Scotland

Cleit: postbox № HS9 2 and phone
Cleit: postbox № HS9 2 and phone
These two red objects stand by a cattle grid and on opposite sides of the road. The postbox receives its final collection daily except Sunday at 9:15am.
English/Gaelic names in the Western Isles

In around 1999, the Ordnance Survey replaced English-language placenames in the Western Isles with Gaelic-language names. Some of the more prominent features (e.g. Isle of Barra; Stornoway; Sound of Harris) do have bilingual labels but, on the whole, villages, lochs, peaks etc. generally have the Gaelic names on the modern-day mapping.

Because the English versions have a tendency not to appear on the maps any more, I have decided to use them in my image titles and, as such, a translation will be readily available from the Gaelic labelling on the map.

(NB I have not translated some of the more minor loch and river names, where I have not easily found the English version.)

K2 & K6 Telephone Boxes

The iconic red telephone kiosk was the result of a competition in 1924 to design a telephone box suitable for London Metropolitan Boroughs. A design by Giles Gilbert Scott, a British Architect, was chosen. The box, to be known as the K2 was deployed in London in 1926. The post office suggested it be painted red.

The K6 was introduced in 1935, designed to commemorate the silver jubilee of King George V. It was a smaller version of the K2, and went on to be installed prolifically around the country. It is the most recognised and iconic telephone box, that many people around the world are familiar with. The first K6 is still to be found outside the Royal Academy of Art in London.

Other versions of the red telephone box were designed and implemented but none were ever to survive the popularity of the K6.

Over 240,000 red telephone boxes were built between the 1920s and 1980s.
BT had replaced many red telephone boxes during the 1980s and 90s with the aluminium KX100, leading to English Heritage to designate over 2000 as listed structures. Only 9400 K6's remain.

BT offered councils to 'adopt-a-kiosk' for £1 to keep local K6's in place. Many have found alternate uses as mini libraries/book exchanges & art galleries, and even for storage of heart defibrillators.


Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   © Copyright Chris Downer and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Geographical Context: Village, Rural settlement Business, Retail, Services Communications other tags: Postbox Telephone Box Click a tag, to view other nearby images.
This photo is linked from: Galleries: · Red phone box and postbox Automatic Clusters: · Road [5] · Phone [2] ·
1:50,000 Modern Day Landranger(TM) Map © Crown Copyright
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1:50,000 Modern Day Landranger(TM) Map © Crown Copyright
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Grid Square
NF6704, 27 images   (more nearby 🔍)
Photographer
Chris Downer   (more nearby)
Date Taken
Sunday, 12 August, 2012   (more nearby)
Submitted
Saturday, 1 September, 2012
Subject Location
OSGB36: geotagged! NF 6723 0424 [10m precision]
WGS84: 57:0.5337N 7:29.0445W
Camera Location
OSGB36: geotagged! NF 6724 0424
View Direction
WEST (about 270 degrees)
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Image classification(about): Geograph (Third Visitor for NF6704)
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