The idea
The beautiful old BT red Phone Boxes are such an iconic British Institution and it would be so sad to see them disappear. That is why the Blackhouse Lane Phone Box group, a local community group, has already adopted and partly renovated the Blackhouse Lane phone box into a Seed Swap and local gardening hub for the local community. With the help of the FLaCK community group, who have already renovated 3 other boxes in Burgess Hill, the Blackhouse Lane Phone Box Group has plans to renovate the last 2 remaining boxes on London Road and West Street in Burgess Hill.
We have the full support of the our County Councillor, Town Council and the local community who all love the idea. Our plans for the other 2 boxes include a 'Memories of Burgess Hill' and a hanging basket garden.
If you would like to see the progress of our renovations please take a look at our FB page at www.facebook.com/blackhouselanephonebox. All works thus far has been with locally raised funds. But we have run out!
What we'll deliver
- Renovate the outside and inside of the box to a 'Seed Swap'
- Make the box the box a hub for local community gardeners
- Maintain the box and its gardening contents in good order
Why it's a great idea
It is so lovely that a local community group is taking the initiative to save these beautiful and iconic old BT Red phone kiosks. They are a lasting reminder of our heritage and would be a tragedy to lose the remaining few that we have.
The feedback from the local community of Burgess Hill has been amazing. So many are on board and have offered their time and help to get this project off the ground.
Not only are we saving the phone box, but it is a way to share and preserve the local fruit, flower, vegetable and tree varieties of Burgess Hill. Already we have donations of local fruit and vegetable types that will be shared and preserved instead of being lost.
It also garners such a great community spirit and pride in the history of Burgess Hill. These beautiful boxes all restored are a real showpiece for the community.
We already have the local runners group running a 'marathon' between the 4 complete boxes on a Friday night, with plans to begin relay races in next spring!
Steps to get it done
- Complete weather proofing of exterior of Blackhouse Lane phone box
- Complete interior of Blackhouse Lane phone box
- Opening ceremony for Blackhouse Lane phone box
- Begin assessment overview of London Road and West Street Phone Boxes.
A relatively small grant will secure these beautiful boxes for future generations. With so much community support already, with volunteers armed with paint brushes and paint pots already putting in so much work and with so much enthusiasm to complete the 3 remaining boxes it would be such a wonderful thing to receive a grant.
