Phone Box Library
A Tale of Restoration and Literary Delights
Bought for the Village
In March 2010, Great Hallingbury Parish Council boldly decided to rescue the red telephone box which had stood for many years, proudly but forgotten, at the end of Church Lane, a sad victim of the emergence of the digital communications era.
Rather than seeing the phone box taken away on a skip lorry, the Council purchased it from British Telecom for a mere £1. They believed the humble structure had become too much of a beloved landmark. (The Church is on your right just past the red telephone box; once you get to the red telephone box on your left, the Village Hall is two hundred yards ahead on your right. You get the picture!)
Restoration
A working group was formed and one sunny Saturday, a team of dedicated volunteers embarked on a mission to breathe new life into the weathered phone box. They meticulously scraped off flaking paint, painstakingly removed the Perspex window panes (held in place by stubborn metal pegs and star grip washers) and addressed the decaying wooden door.
The door required expert attention and was transported to a nearby workshop for restoration.
A few weeks turned into a labour of love, as the phone box and its door were meticulously restored.
When the work was finished a vibrant hot cherry red paint now adorned the box, transforming it once more into an iconic symbol of the village.
Re-Purposing
But the question remained—what purpose would this newly revived structure serve? Its small size limited the possibilities.
Then, Heather Pinnock, a member of the local book club and a passionate reader, had a brilliant idea. She proposed transforming the space into a community library.
With the blessing of the Parish Council, Heather's husband, Alan Pinnock, undertook the task of rededicating the phone box. Shelves were added and, over time, Heather filled them with her own collection of books. Though Heather is no longer with us, her legacy lives on.
In 2023, the Parish Council approved further renovations and Alan, once again, rose to the occasion. He expertly fixed loose panes and installed additional shelving, ensuring the library was maintained in its best possible condition.
How it Works
We are incredibly fortunate to have our little community sharing library. It requires minimal upkeep; regular tidying up takes place every few weeks.
However, the heart of this library lies in its books. As villagers, we are responsible for keeping it well stocked so that it becomes a vibrant little space to visit. The shelves are filled with captivating fiction, spanning a wide range of genres - from timeless classics to gripping thrillers, detective books and spine-chilling horrors to heartwarming chick lit, and thought-provoking war time stories.
If you haven't yet explored the treasures within, we invite you to wander up and indulge in the joy of browsing at your leisure. There is only one humble request: for each book you take, kindly replace it with another in a similar condition. This way, we can all relish the literary wonders that our community library has to offer.
Geocache
An exciting addition unexpectedly found its place in the library - a geocache library book cache. This treasure, securely fastened to the shelves, is part of a worldwide adventure. Someone hid the book and shared the GPS coordinates online. Geocachers, armed with their trusty phone apps, embark on a quest to locate it. Once found, they sign the book, return it to its spot, and continue their thrilling journey. Our community library is now home to one of these millions of geocaches scattered across the globe.
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Heritage and Future
The story of our community library is one of resilience, collaboration and the power of shared knowledge. It stands as a testament to what can be achieved when a village comes together to preserve its heritage and foster a love for books. So, let us embrace this treasure trove of books, ensuring that the shelves remain brimming with stories waiting to be explored and cherished.