I finally made it to the phone booth graveyard. And it’s amazing.

The first thing I learned about the phone booth graveyard in Surrey was its name. And what’s its name I hear you cry? It’s called ‘Unicorn Restorations’. Which on its own is nothing remarkable. Until I inform you, dear reader, that the publishing company that published my book is also called Unicorn! It’s a sign, I’m convinced. During lockdown 1.0 I found myself in Surrey to photograph one of the other mages in my phone booth collection ‘Mayfield's Lavender Field’. it’s a 25-mile cycle from mine, which isn’t easy with a single speed. When I finally arrived on the hottest day of the year, extremely moist, I remembered that Unicorn was also in Surrey, so I got back on my bike and tried my luck to visit them unannounced. I’ve since found out it was lucky anyone was there but the lovely Christian opened the gates and let me in. I should add that these guys are overrun with requests from photographers to come and have a nose so they very wisely charge for you to be in there. However, because of my megacycle, pity was taken and I was allowed to have a sneak peek with no cheeky snaps. IT IS INCREDIBLE. I have never seen anything like it. It’s kiosk heaven. There is absolutely everything in there. The K2’s and the K6’s as you’d expect, old post boxes, street furniture, a route master bus, old bus destination rolls, toys, old BT adverts… but most excitingly, the K8’s! Now the K8’s might be sniffed at in today’s tastes but they are a 60’s design classic and extremely rare in the wild. No one seems to know exactly how many there are on the streets but I think it’s less than 10. The 20th Century Society is trying to secure them as a listed icon to stop and more being destroyed or poorly maintained, just like the K2 and K6, which everyone loves. As of yet, no dice. Although I did notice one in the background of that caravan park in Jeremy Clarkson’s new Farm TV show.

I kept in contact with the guys at Unicorn and when the weather changed I requested a visit and went. You pay by the hour to be there. I honestly couldn’t see me being more than half an hour, it’s not huge but it’s dense. I was there for 6 hours ladies and gentlemen. In the sun. I was toast. The reason I was there so long was because ‘Tony’ was there. Tony and I did not stop talking. It was sold phone box chat. He told me how they came upon the kiosks in the first place, they were bought from BT in the ’80s after BT decided to modernise the phone kiosk game to the KX100’s which we all know as the grey ones. BT quickly realised their mistake and had to buy them back from Tony immediately. Tony told me he’s reconditioned over 2000 in his time at the yard. They can have a kiosk stripped, painted, and with you in 10 days. This is pretty remarkable when you see how big the K2’s are. They’re 9 ft when thye’re not in the ground, these things are huge, like sentinels standing watch. You could make a great Dr. Who episode in this place. Tony also provides phone boxes for the movies. He’s the movie man. If there’s a phone box in sight, Tony delivered it.

The yard as you can see is otherworldly. It has everything you could dream of. Piles of doors, hinges, light fittings, phone book holders, sex cards that fall out of light fittings. Tony told me that once he removed the light fitting and someone’s 30-year-old sandwich was still up there. But I’m missing the most important part. The restoration part of Unicorn Restorations. These are all for sale. Each one is lovingly restored in the warehouse. Billions of coats of paint removed, sanded down, stroked, hugged, and put back together. When he’s finished, they are a thing of absolute beauty. They are perfection. Even Gilbert Scott hasn’t seen them look this good. But, as we all know, they only made so many, so eventually, they’ll be gone. BT has committed to maintaining the current stock, although Tony tells me BT doesn’t know how many that is. People's lives still rely on them, even though we love to enjoy our technological advances, when push comes to shove, the only thing we can really rely on are these. Tony even installed one at the nuclear power plant in Dungeness because they needed something if the absolute worst were to happen. And if that were to happen, these boys would still be here for us. Beaten but not broken.

Preston Bus Station Publication

I’m not sure if you have followed my previous bus station updates, but I was thrilled to get my collection commissioned by Design Anthology UK magazine. It’s my first piece of press that isn’t Hand Dryers or Telephone Booths. I’ll re-tickle your taste buds with some snaps below.

Vote For Me!

One last thing, Could you please vote me for in the ‘Emerging Photographer award! Just click the like button on the article, it would mean the world. Click HERE

I only entered one image but it’s a good un.

Till Next Time.