Historic Building Details

HB Ref No:
HB12/13/048

Address :
Telephone Kiosk 79 Montiaghroe Road Kesh BT93 1EJ

Townland:
DRUMNAGRESHIAL

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Survey 2:
B2

Date of Listing:
27/03/2025 00:00:00

Date of De-listing:

Current Use:
Telephone Kiosk

Former Use
Telephone Kiosk

Conservation Area:
No

Industrial Archaeology:
No

Vernacular:
No

Thatched:
No

Monument:
No

Derelict:

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OS Map No:
135/13NE

IG Ref:
H1891 6857

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Owner Category

Exterior Description And Setting

A square-plan, freestanding 1937-53 era K6 telephone kiosk of cast iron construction, painted red with glazing to three of the elevations and a solid panel to the fourth, built to Sir Giles Gilbert Scott's standardised design of 1935. The kiosk sits in front of Drumskinney Post Office, a rural
setting on the Montiaghroe Road near Kesh, Fermanagh. It is in working order and an excellent state of repair, likely due to its rural location immediate proximity to the working post office and dwelling. The kiosk retains an unusually large proportion of glass, greater than 70%. Signage reading ‘TELEPHONE’ is original though faded on S & E elevations and missing on the elevation adjacent to the post office (W). The door handle appears to be replaced but matches the original design. Roof: Cast-iron RWG: None Walling: Cast-iron, painted Windows: Single pane with glazing bars

Architects

Historical Information

The K6 model was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott in 1935 to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of King George V. Constructed in cast-iron with a teak door, compact in size and easily mass-produced, the design was developed from Scott’s previous telephone kiosk models, the larger K2 (introduced in 1926) and K3 (1929). It was distributed throughout the UK from 1936 and represents the most successful and populous type of kiosk to be introduced with some 60,000 being placed around the country. About 8,000 of these were installed as part of the 'Jubilee Concession', which allowed towns and villages with a post office to apply for a kiosk. A year later under the 'Tercentenary Concession' celebrating the Post Office's 300th anniversary, a further 1,000 kiosks were installed over 12 years for local authorities willing to pay a five-year subscription of £4. After 1949 this was succeeded by the ‘Rural Allocation scheme’, under which kiosks were placed in out-of-town areas upon the recommendation of a rural authority. A minor alteration in the K6 design occurred following the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, when the ‘Tudor’ crown motif was replaced with the St. Edward’s crown. From 1955 the Crown of Scotland was used for kiosks in that country, a slot in the fascia allowing either version to be inserted into all of those manufactured from this date. The model continued in production until 1968 when the more modernist K8, designed by Bruce Martin, was introduced, though some K6s do seem to have installed - or perhaps moved from elsewhere - after this date. Kiosk near 79 Montiaghroe Road, Kesh - A ‘TCB’ or telephone call box is marked on this site on the OS map of 1962, next to what was at that time the local Post Office. The kiosk itself is of the ‘Tudor’ crown variety suggesting it was installed here sometime after 1936, but before 1953. References – Primary sources 1 OS map sheet 135 – 1962 Secondary sources 2 N. Johannessen, ‘Telephone Boxes’ Shire Publications (Princes Risborough, 1994) 3 The Telephone Box - http://www.the-telephone-box.co.uk/ (accessed 18 November 2024) 4 GPO - KIOSK No. 6 (K6) (www.britishtelephones.com) (accessed 18 November 2024)

Criteria for Listing

Architectural Interest

A. Style B. Proportion C. Ornamentation D. Plan Form I. Quality and survival of Interior J. Setting

Historic Interest

R. Age Z. Rarity S. Authenticity V. Authorship X. Local Interest Y. Social, Cultural or Economic Importance

Evaluation

A telephone kiosk designed in 1935 by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott is a pre-1953 K6-model, as indicated by the Tudor Crown cypher. This iconic piece of street furniture was once common but now almost entirely replaced by modern mobile phone use. During its lifetime, the kiosk has adapted to keep pace with changes in society and technology, these include upgrading of equipment and vandal-proofing measures. This process contributes to the buildings significance by illustrating changing values and reveals the effects of change over time.The kiosk, still in working order, retains an exceptionally high proportion of glass (70%) and makes an important contribution to the history of the area, forming a rural node with the post office, and post box that tells the story early 20th century rural communications.

General Comments

Replacement fluorescent light. Possible replacement handle, of original design. Modern telephone equipment. Original ‘Telephone’ Signage retained, though two signs are partially faded, sign missing on the elevation facing onto post office (W). It was agreed these changes were appropriate and did not damage the buildings architectural and historical worth.

Date of Survey

21 October 2024