The Last Call

Having stood its ground for nearly a century, survived the London Blitz, and witnessed 20 different British prime ministers hold office, the era of the traditional red telephone box is drawing to a close, its future uncertain. A much-cherished symbol of Britishness that still inspires affection throughout the world, time could soon be called on this most venerable creation rendered obsolete by the march of the ubiquitous mobile phone. With most of us hanging up the landline for good, retired ship’s captain Dermot O’Toole traces the evolution of the public telephone on the Isle of Man and the tsunami of emotions provoked by its demise.