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More than 70 phone boxes up for grabs in Wales, says BT

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77 phone boxes in Wales are currently available for communities to adopt for just £1

There are around 850 remaining working payphones across Wales, 260 of which are in traditional red kiosks
Since 2008, more than 500 phone boxes have been adopted by communities across Wales
Next year will mark 100 years since the original K2 red kiosk was designed.

Ahead of the iconic red phone box turning 100 years of age, BT has revealed that more than 70 of its kiosks are currently up for grabs across Wales.

Architect Sir Giles Gilbert Scott designed the first incarnation of the famous red phone box for a competition in 1924.

In recent years, however, with 98% of the adult population now using a mobile phone, and significant improvements to mobile coverage, there has been a huge decline in the usage of payphones across the UK.

There are now around 850 remaining working payphones across Wales, around 260 of which are in traditional red kiosks.

Across the UK, around 20,000 working payphones remain in operation. The number of phone boxes across the UK peaked in the 1990s at around 100,000.

BT is now urging communities across Wales to continue to take advantage of its kiosk adoption scheme to help transform its underused red phone boxes into other purposes.

Since BT introduced its Adopt a Kiosk programme in 2008, more than 500 phone boxes have been taken on by communities across Wales for just £1 each.

Across the UK, more than 7,200 have been adopted so far. The kiosks can be adopted by registered charities, community councils and local authorities.

Redundant phone boxes have been adopted and turned into a range of facilities over the years, from defibrillator units and libraries, to mini art galleries and local museums.

BT is continuing to review its remaining estate of payphones, removing those that are no longer being used, in line with rules set out by Ofcom. Ofcom revised its guidance last year on payphone removals, reflecting improvements made in mobile coverage and the number of calls made from individual payphones each year.

Michael Smy, Head of Street at BT, said: “With the vast majority of people now using mobile phones, and significant improvements to mobile coverage across the UK, we’ve continued to see a big drop in the number of calls made from payphones.

“That’s why we’re continuing to review our payphones estate, making sure we’re prioritising the removal of those not being used, in line with Ofcom’s latest guidance.

“With the iconic red kiosk about to turn 100, it’s a great opportunity to remind communities that would still like to retain their local kiosk to take it on for just £1 through our Adopt a Kiosk scheme. We’ve already seen some great kiosk conversions across the UK that have become valuable community assets.”

Focal point for rural village in Eryri (Snowdonia)

An adopted kiosk in the rural village or Rowen in Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park has become a focal point for the village.

After the kiosk was adopted by the village’s Memorial Hall committee in 2013, volunteers set about turning into a defibrillator site, book exchange and information point for local events and for tourists.

Located next to the Ty Gwyn Hotel in the heart of the picturesque village in Conwy county, the kiosk has even been used as a seed swap.

Peter McFadden, trustee of the Rowen Memorial Hall, said: “This red phone box is a much-loved local landmark and a popular meeting place. Some residents have told us that they did their teenage courting there.

“When people stopped using it to make calls, and there was a risk it would disappear, we were determined to keep it and turn it into an important hub for the village. It was an easy process to adopt it from BT and it cost us just £1. Several other villages near here have adopted their phone boxes, having seen ours.

“After a lot of hard work and good ideas from volunteers, it’s been put to so many good uses, including a lifesaving one. I’d encourage others to adopt redundant kiosks in their area and turn them into a community asset.”

Community

Alert system set to be introduced for flood-hit Tenby road

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A CALL for a road closure alert system at a regularly flood-hit road at the entrance to Tenby where the existing sign warnings “don’t like operating when it’s wet” has been backed by senior councillors.

Back at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, Cllr Rhys Jordan had said: “The B4318 at Gumfreston is prone to persistent flooding during adverse weather conditions, leading to road closures that disrupt travel and pose safety risks for residents and motorists.

“Currently, closures are not effectively communicated to residents, causing inconvenience, delays, and potential hazards. An efficient alert system would provide timely information to residents, allowing them to plan alternative routes and ensuring safety.”

At the October meeting Cllr Jordan had revealed the existing flood warning system signs “don’t like operating when its wet”.

The February meeting of the council’s Cabinet received a notice of motion by Cllr Jordan calling for a flood alert system for residents warning of any road closures of the B4318, which was recommended for approval.

In his notice of motion, Cllr Jordan said the flood warning signs, “continue to malfunction, leaving residents uninformed and ill-prepared for closures,” despite him raising the issue at full council on two occasions.

His call said: “The technology required to address this issue already exists within Pembrokeshire County Council. For example, the Cleddau Bridge successfully uses an alert system to inform residents and motorists of closures. A similar system should be implemented for the B4318 at Gumfreston.”

A report for members said a 2011 feasibility report to realign or raise the road had estimated the costs would be £4.5m at the time, now raised to £6m, the budget at the time used to install the flood monitoring and warning system.

The report added: “Recently, the warning sign system was subject to a hostile cyber-attack and whilst this has now been resolved, the signs are not currently being operated automatically, but are being remotely controlled from the Cleddau Bridge office when required.

“However, the Highways teams are working with suppliers to improve reliability and to install new water depth sensors which will allow the system to be restored to automatic operation once more.”

Referencing the current Cleddau Bridge system, the report said it would be feasible to have a similar system for the B4318 road at Gumfreston, with a cost of some £2,000 for the works.

Speaking at the February 10 meeting, Cllr Jordan said there was a need for “a long-term infrastructure solution” to address the flooding issues, but said the recommendation was a “pragmatic” improvement given the council’s limited resources.

“But what I am not happy is with the length of time this has taken, it’s a step in the right direction but disappointing that it has taken a year of me asking and many years of people suffering to get to the situation today.

“It will not solve the problem but at least will provide some mitigation. The residents deserve better planning and better outcomes.”

Cabinet member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett said the council “acknowledge a long-term sustainable solution would be the best outcome,” but was pleased there was “a sense of pragmatism” in the proposal.

The proposal was unanimously supported by Cabinet members.

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Community

New parent, baby and child walking groups launch in Pembrokeshire

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PARENTS in Pembrokeshire looking for a friendly and supportive way to get outdoors with their little ones can now join free weekly walking groups in Broad Haven and Pembroke.

Organised by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, these walks provide a relaxed and welcoming environment, offering a chance to connect with other parents while enjoying gentle exercise, spotting wildlife along the way, and taking in the beauty of the local area.

The Broad Haven walks take place every Monday at 10am, starting from the Park Authority’s car park outside the YHA in Broad Haven, while the Pembroke group meets every Friday at 10am at Pembroke Commons car park, opposite the Pembroke Carvery. Both walks begin at 10.15am and are free to attend. They are pram-friendly, making them ideal for new parents, parents-to-be, and those with toddlers.

Each walk lasts between 45 and 60 minutes, with nearby baby-changing facilities and local cafés available for refreshments before or after the stroll.

Along the way, parents can take part in fun, age-appropriate activities with their little ones while benefiting from fresh air, gentle movement, and the support of a like-minded community.

Get Outdoors Coordinator, Amber Manning, organiser of the walking groups, encourages parents to come along and experience the benefits of connecting with others in a natural setting, and says:“These walks are a fantastic way for parents to get outside, socialise and enjoy Pembrokeshire with your children. Whether you’re looking to meet new people, get some fresh air, or simply enjoy a relaxed walk, everyone is welcome.”

For more information, contact Amber Manning at 07483 377414 or via email at [email protected]

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Community

Tragic hospital crash: Father speaks of the moment he lost baby daughter

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A GREIVING father has spoken of the horrific moment he lost his eight-month-old daughter in a tragic crash outside Withybush Hospital. Rob Hall, originally from Fishguard and now living in Neath, was visiting his dying mother when a car ploughed into him, his brother, and his baby daughter, Mabli, as they stood outside the hospital in June 2023.

The devastating incident occurred while Rob was taking a short walk with Mabli in her pram, just minutes after they had said goodbye to his mother inside the hospital. A white BMW, driven by 71-year-old Bridget Curtis from Begelly, accelerated across a pavement and struck them. The impact threw Rob into a nearby parking bay and crushed Mabli’s pram beneath the vehicle. The baby girl was rushed to hospital with catastrophic injuries but tragically passed away four days later.

Speaking about the moment of the crash, Rob recalled: “I heard this horrible revving and screeching. The next thing I saw was this white car airborne. That was it. I was hit and thrown into a parking bay. The first thing I saw was the pram underneath the car. There was chaos, people running everywhere. Three nurses came over and picked me up because I couldn’t walk or stand. That didn’t matter. What mattered was where Mabli was.”

Mabli was airlifted to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff and later transferred to a children’s hospital in Bristol. Despite the best efforts of medical staff, doctors informed Rob and his wife Gwen that their daughter would not survive. She passed away in the early hours of June 25, just days after Rob’s mother had also succumbed to illness.

Curtis was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court last month after admitting to causing Mabli’s death by dangerous driving. The court heard that she had left the engine of her BMW running while looking for her handbag. The vehicle suddenly lurched forward, travelling 28 metres and reaching speeds of 30mph before the devastating collision. Judge Geraint Walters described the crash footage as “something that words cannot describe” and sentenced Curtis to four years in prison.

Rob and Gwen have expressed frustration over the drawn-out legal process and Curtis’s refusal to provide answers in the aftermath of the tragedy. “We waited so long for justice,” said Rob. “She answered ‘no comment’ to questions about what happened. To us, that is disgusting.”

Despite their grief, the couple have been overwhelmed by the support they have received from friends, family, and even strangers. A fundraising campaign in Mabli’s memory has already raised over £14,000 for the charity 2 Wish, which supports families affected by the sudden death of a child. The family plans to continue raising money in honour of their daughter.

“Mabli was the happiest baby I have ever known,” said her mother, Gwen. “She was so loved, and all she knew was love. She will always be a part of our lives, every single day.”

Original story by WalesOnline.

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