A Little Nostalgia
During the early days of motoring there was little or no provision for roadside assistance if your vehicle broke down or you became lost. In order to fill this void, the RAC (Royal Automobile Club) was founded in 1897 followed by the AA (Automobile Association) in 1905. Both organizations are still in existence and although they have changed considerably, both still provide recovery and assistance to stranded motorists.
As things developed both organizations provided roadside call boxes which originally were used as shelters for their road patrols and became known as sentry boxes. Motorists could summon help and a traveller could find a light, maps, fire extinguisher, and many other items whenever they were needed. The first AA box was installed at Ashstead, Surrey in 1911.
As time moved on, the manufacture of call boxes ceased in 1967. In the 1970’s they were phased out as mobile technology and cellular devices made them unnecessary. By 2002, the Automobile Association had shut down its network and now only a handful of boxes remain. They have no practical use and are merely roadside historical decoration.
This particular box, located at Devils Bridge 10 miles east of Aberystwyth in mid Wales, is a grade 2 listed building but I am not sure who is responsible for its upkeep.
A Little Nostalgia
During the early days of motoring there was little or no provision for roadside assistance if your vehicle broke down or you became lost. In order to fill this void, the RAC (Royal Automobile Club) was founded in 1897 followed by the AA (Automobile Association) in 1905. Both organizations are still in existence and although they have changed considerably, both still provide recovery and assistance to stranded motorists.
As things developed both organizations provided roadside call boxes which originally were used as shelters for their road patrols and became known as sentry boxes. Motorists could summon help and a traveller could find a light, maps, fire extinguisher, and many other items whenever they were needed. The first AA box was installed at Ashstead, Surrey in 1911.
As time moved on, the manufacture of call boxes ceased in 1967. In the 1970’s they were phased out as mobile technology and cellular devices made them unnecessary. By 2002, the Automobile Association had shut down its network and now only a handful of boxes remain. They have no practical use and are merely roadside historical decoration.
This particular box, located at Devils Bridge 10 miles east of Aberystwyth in mid Wales, is a grade 2 listed building but I am not sure who is responsible for its upkeep.