Words and photo by committee member Alan Selwyn
The Friends of Belsize Community Library launched a project to buy the old BT phone box alongside the Nox Hotel (ex-Haverstock Arms pub) on Upper Park Road near the junction with Haverstock Hill. They plan to turn it into a book exchange and art display site. This will rehabilitate an unused but important historic Grade II listed structure as well as giving extra prominence to the Friends’ activities at the library nearby in Antrim Grove.
The purchase required a legally constituted body such as a charity, which BelsSoc is and the Friends are not, hence our involvement.
Local residents will be able to share books and help the less fortunate members of our community read books which are becoming ever more expensive. It will also enable us to keep overflowing bookshelves tidy!
These mini-libraries have become popular in many areas and we have looked at best practice to help us. We are hopeful the box can be kept box open most of the time and that it will not attract vandalism or antisocial behaviour. Similar boxes elsewhere, notably in Islington and Lewisham have proved safe and successful, so we feel positive about this but will also take out insurance.
The phone box itself is coming up for its 100th birthday, being of 1927 vintage. As with many old-timers it does lean a little, though is in reasonable condition and is securely locked. But it does need a little TLC and tenders are out for repainting it, repairing the interior light and installing some removable shelving. We’re applying for some funding support.
Because of its heritage listing, we had to seek listed building and planning consents. We split the cost 3 ways between ourselves, the Friends, and The Winch, who manage the Library. Permission was duly granted by Camden and we are now completing the purchase from BT Payphones for the grand sum of £1. There are obligations to look after the box and keep it in good condition and
we shall draw up operating plans with the Friends.
There is also a local historical connection. The architect, Sir Giles Gilbert Scott (Bankside Power Station – Tate Modern, Battersea Power Station, Liverpool Anglican Cathedral etc) lived up the road in Admiral’s House, Hampstead. He based the design of the K2 phone box on Sir John Soane’s family mausoleum in Old St Pancras Churchyard, just yards from his father, Sir George Gilbert Scott’s, St Pancras Station.
We hope, once the work has been completed in the next few months, it might become a regular trip for many members of our community to drop off some used books and pick up something new.
