The AA Box

On 28 May 2003 another telephone box was added to the Society's collection, a big, imposing black and yellow AA telephone box, now standing by the AA-approved period garage.

How we came to acquire it is quite a story. In September 2002 Don Teesdale read in The Daily Telegraph that the AA was abandoning its telephone network and disposing of its remaining 21 roadside boxes, 13 of which it was offering to transport museums. He stepped in immediately and in due course was given the choice of two, both in Scotland. It emerged that one of these was quite close to Moffat, where lives one of our members' son John, who was promptly dispatched to photograph it and duly sent us a whole film full. I understand that Martin Denman went to the trouble of coming down from Glasgow to take pictures also.

A little later Joyce and Paul Jefford while in Scotland went to see the box for themselves. It was complete enough, but in quite a poor state of repair, with one front corner fallen away and the door hanging open restrained only by a piece of string and/or two stones. It looked very much as though the combination of Scottish climate and the box's situation "far from the madding crowd" made it an ideal shelter for passing walkers caught in the rain. Clearly, the sooner the box was removed from the site the better. Don had already asked Joyce to write a formal letter accepting the AA's offer, and begun looking into transport possibilities. The acceptance letter duly went off next day, 24 April 2003, above the signature of the LVVS's Company Secretary.

Offer, acceptance - hey presto! We have a contract. The box is ours. So we thought. But barely had we got our John's photographs to Don, than Don received a letter from the AA saying the offer of the box had to be withdrawn because Historic Scotland had applied for all three remaining boxes in Scotland to have listed status, which would mean that they could not be moved. Fireworks! All kinds of thoughts pass through our minds. Joyce and I say "Law of contract - offer and acceptance, they can't withdraw an accepted offer!" Brian Harding says that we don't even need to have an acceptance in writing to make a contract. Don mutters darkly "I'll talk to my solicitor." Soon Don, armed with the necessary expert advice, telephones the AA. It seems as though its internal communications have gone a bit astray. Further enquiries will be made.

Further enquiries duly are made, and by 6 May another box has been located which, subject to the outcome of discussions in hand, might become ours. By 21 May has come a letter confirming that the AA is very happy for us to take possession of the AA telephone box at Gaydon, which has become surplus to the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust's requirements. A letter of thanks has, of course, since gone to the AA in appreciation of all this help. Don gets to work again, and the box reaches Lincoln on 15 May, duly arriving at our Museum on 28 May.

It is in excellent condition, having been partially rebuilt under the supervision of the AA archivist during its stay at Gaydon. Brian (who knew the box when it was still in use at the A41/B4451 junction at Gaydon village) and Gordon are now looking for appropriate period equipment to fit out the interior. The AA has provided pictures of the various types of AA boxes in use over the years. A retired AA archivist has provided further information about the construction and fittings. Don recently saw an identical box when visiting the National Collection of Telephone Kiosks at the Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove.

First a GPO K6 red telephone kiosk, now an AA box in our Museum. What next? A Tardis? An RAC box, perhaps? A Victorian letter box? Or, of course, come about 2030, a speed camera - all part of the roadside scene.

Restoration update - April 2004
The restoration of the AA box is now complete, including a working bakelite black telephone. Our grateful thanks to everyone who has helped with donating authentic items to make this restoration complete.