Time Stands Still for Police Box at Crich Tramway Village
A rare historic police box dating from the 1930s is to be restored at Crich Tramway Village.
The Metropolitan Police Box was once a familiar site on the streets of London, but the example at Crich is believed to be the last known survivor of this particular MK2 type. Designed by Gilbert Mackenzie Trench in 1929, the box contained a telephone for police officers to communicate directly with stations before portable radios were introduced. Equally important was the facility for members of the public to use the box to call the Police for help. A similar model is featured as the T.A.R.D.I.S ®TM in the popular TV series, Dr. Who, though the Crich Tramway model does not have time travel capabilities!
The Grade II Listed police box arrived at the Museum in 1983 after being donated by the Metropolitan Police and transported from London. It has stood at Crich for nearly 40 years as part of the period street that trams operate on. Despite repairs carried out in the past, the concrete body has been deteriorating over the last few years and requires specialist repairs from an experienced contractor to prevent it weakening further.
Museum Curator Kate Watts said:
“Whilst Crich Tramway Village is obviously known for its trams, we also have a significant collection of street furniture items, which are also historically important. We’re glad to be giving the police box the attention it needs to preserve it for years to come. We believe this is the last remaining example of the iconic MK2 design, so it’s vital that we preserve it. If anyone knows of any others, we’d love to hear from them!”
The museum is grateful to have received a grant from Arts Council England, through Museum Development East Midlands, towards the cost of the project and would welcome any contributions towards the cost of over £4000 the Museum will have to fund itself.
Donations can be made via the museum’s website: www.tramway.co.uk/contact/make-a-donation/
More News From Amber Valley Info
| Salcare Calls for Urgent Support as Food Donations Drop Ahead of Winter Salcare, the Heanor-based charity supporting vulnerable people across Amber Valley, is appealing for urgent c read more | |
| Warm and welcoming spaces grant fund now open for application Community groups across Derbyshire are being invited to apply for funding to set up warm and welcoming spaces to help l read more | |
| Extensive Repairs Now Completed At Iconic Heage Windmill Heage Windmill, the last working stone tower six-sailed windmill in Britain and the only working windmill in Derbyshire prod read more | |
| Ambergate Vauxhall cars event September 28th Sunday September 28th sees the Great British Car Journey at Derwent Works, Ambergate, DE56 2HE, host the great cars from Luton. From a P read more | |
| Ambergate sales Reps cars event September 21st Sunday September 21st sees the Great British Car Journey at Derwent Works, Ambergate, DE56 2HE, host cars from the days of the sales r read more | |
The Amber Valley Info Noticeboard
| Launch Of WOMBLE MANIA! At the Heights of Abraham, Opened by Marcus Robertson, Son of Wombles author, Elisabeth Beresford, officially launched WOMBLE MANIA! at the Heights of Abraha read more | |
| Belper School and Sixth Form Centre Closed Today Due to a significant water leak, resulting in the water being turned off at school, we unfortunately have to close the school today. read more | |
| When you need to call 999 but can't talk When you need to call 999 but can't talk - the ‘silent solution’ can help. Press 55 on your mobile when prompted, to confirm you are in read more | |
| The opening night of the Lights of Abraham Winter Lights Trail The brand new winter lights trail, the 'Lights of Abraham' opened on Friday 22nd November at the Heights of Abraham in read more | |
| Can You Help DREAM Paranormal With Their Research My name is Simon Dean, Lead Investigator of DREAM paranormal and I am looking for your help. read more | |
