By Leah Conway –
Outside Elland Town Hall, there are old BT phone boxes that have been adopted and renovated by the community. This year’s World Book Day will see the launch of the old phone boxes, with one turning into a free library.
The phone box will be a free library with public access to swap books within the community. The plans have been supported by local businesses such as Rhodes Joinery and Morrisons Elland and owned by Elland Round Table.
The renovations will include plans to restore the phone boxes’ to their former state and then, on top of that, enhance them with the community library and feature artwork.
Local Calderdale artist Roo Waterhouse will have artwork featured on the library phone box – specifically the Shelf Portrait oil paintings.
The project to restore and enhance the post boxes’ has been a community-led project, made possible by a local group of volunteers and support from local businesses. Initially, the project was enabled by the BT Adopt a Kiosk scheme which made it possible for local charities or businesses to adopt a kiosk for £1.
Something to be proud of
Dave, an Elland community resident, commented, “I have walked past the phone boxes multiple times and thought in a time of where the cost of living is at a record high it would be great if we could create a community project which provides something people can be proud of.
I approached Elland Round Table with other members of the community and their support has been incredible. People want to be involved in this project. If you want to adopt a kiosk in your local town, get in touch.”
Get involved!
You can still get involved in the project by donating time, resources, money or help. To get involved contactellandphonebox@outlook.com or join their Facebook page.Â
You can also follow their progress on Instagram: @ellandphonebox