Telephone Kiosk, 166 Clones Road, Kilturk South, County Fermanagh, BT92 6FH

Telephone Kiosk at 166 Clones Road

This is a K6 model telephone kiosk designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott in 1935 to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of King George V. The kiosk at 166 Clones Road is a pre-1953 example, as evidenced by its Tudor Crown insignia, suggesting it was installed between 1936 and 1953. It remains in its original setting, positioned prominently on the road edge abutting what was formerly the local post office, a stone building on the south-facing elevation of 166 Clones Road.

The kiosk is constructed of cast iron and painted red. It features a curved domed roof and a main door on its south elevation. Each of the four elevations displays a Tudor Crown insignia in bas-relief aligned centrally beneath the roof arch, with the word "Telephone" in black serif font positioned directly below. The fenestration comprises single pane windows with glazing bars; whilst much of the original glazing remains, some panes have been replaced with perspex. The kiosk retains a high proportion of its original internal fittings and door mechanics, including leather straps and a closer arm, which remain intact and functioning. The door itself has been removed but is capable of being reconnected via its existing joints; the key features such as glass panes, door handles and door mechanics remain in their original condition.

The K6 was developed from Scott's earlier models, the K2 (introduced in 1926) and K3 (1929). Its compact size and cast-iron construction with teak door made it easily mass-producible. The design was distributed throughout the UK from 1936 onwards and proved the most successful kiosk model, with approximately 60,000 installed nationally. About 8,000 were placed as part of the Jubilee Concession, which allowed towns and villages with a post office to apply for a kiosk. A further 1,000 kiosks were installed over 12 years under the Tercentenary Concession (celebrating the Post Office's 300th anniversary), available to local authorities willing to pay a five-year subscription of £4. From 1949, the Rural Allocation scheme succeeded this, placing kiosks in out-of-town areas on the recommendation of rural authorities.

Following the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, the Tudor crown motif was replaced with the St. Edward's crown on the K6 design. From 1955, the Crown of Scotland was used on kiosks in Scotland, with a slot in the fascia allowing either version to be inserted on models manufactured from that date. The K6 continued in production until 1968, when it was superseded by the K8, designed by Bruce Martin, though some K6 examples may have been installed or relocated after this date.

An Ordnance Survey map of 1961 marks a telephone call box at this site, next to what was then the local post office. The kiosk has played an important role in the social and cultural development of the area, having been the only means of communication to locations beyond the immediate vicinity. Throughout its lifetime, it has been adapted to keep pace with technological and social changes, including equipment upgrades and vandal-proofing measures. Some replacement perspex windows, a possible replacement door handle of original design, and discolouration to the signage represent changes deemed appropriate that do not compromise the building's architectural and historical significance. Once common street furniture, K6 kiosks have become increasingly rare due to modern mobile phone use, making this example a notable survivor of an iconic design.