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: https://www.tramway.co.uk/contact/make-a-donation/
Pictures and copy courtesy of Crich Tramway Village