TELEPHONE KIOSK

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Traditional British K series red telephone kiosk, K6 type, designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott; installed between 1935-1953. Located to the north of the Glendun River, left of the existing shop and adjacent to 'The Square' in the heart of the Village of Cushendun.

Cast-iron body painted 'currant red' (as defined by a British Standard BS 381C-539), with largely replacement glazing; blank elevation to the rear. Each elevation has been emblazoned with a prominent symbolic 'Tudor Crown' motif representing the British government, displayed over the signage 'TELEPHONE'. The interior has been retained with the exception of a new modern telephone.

Historical information

The Telephone box at Cushendun, a K6-type Telephone Kiosk located on Main Street next to the village’s post office, was constructed between 1935 and 1953. The structure is an example of a K6 (Kiosk No. 6) Telephone Kiosk which was designed by Giles Gilbert-Scott (1880-1960), an English Architect, who was also famous for designing Liverpool Cathedral, Battersea Power Station and the Bankside Power Station (now the Tate Modern Gallery) in London. The first K6 Telephone boxes were commissioned in 1935 in celebration of the Silver Jubilee of King George V (Johansson; Heritage.electra website). The design of the kiosk’s roof was based upon the top of Sir John Soane’s Mausoleum (1753-1837: Architect to the Bank of England) located in St. Pancras Old Church in London (White, p. 12).

It is not known with certainty when this K6-type Telephone Kiosk was installed in Cushendun, but it was certainly erected prior to 1953, for a minor alteration in the K6 design occurred following the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in that year, when the ‘Tudor’ crown motif was replaced with St. Edward’s crown (which this particular box possesses.) 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 Telephone Kiosk was listed in 1988.

References
Primary Sources
1. First Survey Record – HB05/03/033 (No Date)
2. NIEA HB Records – HB05/03/033
Secondary Sources
1. Johannessen, N., ‘Telephone boxes’ Princes Risborough: Shire, 1994.
2. White, P., ‘Telephone Kiosks’ English Heritage Conservation Bulletin: London, 1987
3. Young, A. F., ‘Old Rathriland, Hilltown and Ballyroney’ Ayrshire: Stenlake Publishing, 2002.
Online Resources

1. Heritage.electra website - http://heritage.elettra.co.uk

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

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

Criteria for listing: historic interest

R. Age
S. Authenticity
T. Historic Importance
Y. Social, Cultural or Economic Importance
X. Local Interest

Evaluation

A traditional British K series red telephone kiosk, K6 type, designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott; dating between 1935-1953. The Kiosk has retained much of its essential character, despite the replacement of much of the original glazing to the cast iron body. The interior remains largely intact, the only modern addition has been the installation of a new BT telephone. A relatively rare example of a British cultural icon; production of the KX series ceased in 1985. In recent years there has been great reduction in the number of telephone boxes throughout the UK. Prominently located to the north of the Glendun River, left of the existing shop and adjacent to 'The Square' in the heart of the Village of Cushendun.