Box 442

Here's a relic from a bygone age. I've driven passed this AA box a number of times on my way to and from Northallerton but today was the first time that I've been able to pull over and photograph it, even if it was slightly hurried as I was stood in the middle of a fairly fast road.

From what I can make out, these boxes were first erected in the 1920s as a shelter for AA patrol men, but later on AA members were given keys so they could access the 'phone as well as maps and fire extinguishers! I found this lovely story on the BBC website*: 

"Smartly dressed patrolmen in caps and leather boots would salute passing AA members, offering assistance with directions or breakdowns, even warning of police speed traps further down the road.

In fact, no trouble was too much. A film made by the AA tells of a girl out riding who fell and twisted her ankle. She summons a passing AA patrol motorcyclist, asking him to alert her parents who are driving to Southampton.

Every AA sentry box en route was alerted, and the parents flagged down to be told of their child's injury - a service unimaginable on the M3 motorway today."

It seems that nearly 900 boxes were built - there's a list here - and this one, at Aysgarth, was number 442.

Even though they stopped building them sometime in 1960s, it was the rise of the mobile 'phone thirty years later that spelled the end for road side telephones. In fact, on my journey from Kirkby Lonsdale to Northallerton - which is beautiful drive, through Ingleton, Hawes, Bainbridge, and Leyburn - I pass several of the modern style BT 'phone boxes that have fallen into disrepair and disuse. This box might not be used anymore but I suspect it's one of the 19 that are grade 2 listed and that get looked after.

*http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2267539.stm