A piece of heritage returns to Wembley Park

Guest blog by Philip Grant

It may be some time before “staying at home” and restrictions on social gatherings are eased, which would allow us to return to the Civic Centre or Wembley Arena, but when we can there will be something “new” to see.

 

The telephone kiosks being installed
in Arena Square, Engineers Way.
(Photo courtesy of Quintain)

I heard last week that Quintain, the Wembley Park developers, have acquired three of the traditional red telephone boxes, which are being installed in Arena Square, opposite the Civic Centre.

Long-term residents of Wembley may remember a row of three such kiosks, which used to stand in Empire Way, not far from the western end of Wembley Arena. They were the iconic K6 telephone kiosks, designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott to mark the Silver Jubilee of King George V in 1935 (the year after the Empire Pool, as it then was, opened). Those boxes were removed by BT about 15 years ago. 

 

The Empire Pool in 1948, with the row of three ‘phone boxes marked. (Based on “Britain from Above” image EAW018319)

Quintain had been looking to recreate the row of three red boxes for some time, and have reintroduced these kiosks to the local scene as part of their "public realm" improvements.  We won't be able to make a call from them (or press button “B” to get our 4d back). I have been told that they will probably be used for art displays and other community events, once “normal” life returns.

It is purely by chance that I received this Wembley Park “heritage” news just in time to share it with you now. My new series of illustrated local history articles, starting this coming weekend, is The Wembley Park Story!

Philip Grant.