7 replies to this topic

[familyman]

Noticed the other day when coming through Billinge that they had started to demolish the old telephone exchange next to the police station. Does anyone know the history of the place?
When was it built, when was it last used etc.?

[brunty]

not noticed man but you can bet if there is any historical value to it this council will get it demolished,there has been some good old properties bit the dust up there,someone on here must know.

[jinx]

I remember that liitle box on Main st as I use to pass it every morning when we lived at Longshaw.

The exchange was very small as we waited 12 months for a line and eventualy got the No of Billinge 139.

This was in 1965 and we left the area in 1970.

[Phyll]

Is this the one?

http://commons.wikim....uk_-_46501.jpg

Demolished.

http://www.geograph....k/photo/1120089

Says this was a replacement? Don't think it's in the same place though.

http://www.geograph....k/photo/1120077

Edited by Phyll, 15 May 2011 - 09:46 AM.

[familyman]

The first two are of the old exchange. Don't recognise where the new one is.

The area where the old exchange was has now been turned into a little garden. Don't now if its a remembrance garden or just a quite place to sit. I pass it every day but never have chance to read the plaque that's been put there.

[Olliebeak]

Phyll, on 15 May 2011 - 09:33 AM, said:

Is this the one?

http://commons.wikim....uk_-_46501.jpg

Demolished.......................

Strangely enough ..................... on 'Homes Under The Hammer' yesterday morning, there was an identical building, in Kent, sold at auction as a potential conversion into a home for £25,000.

http://www.bbc.co.uk...14_Episode_109/ - shown at 1.05 secs into the video link.


Now I wonder if the Billinge phone exchange owners thought about selling it at the time, or did they just go straight ahead and demolish it.

[HORT]

The new exchange is in Elm Drive just before its Junction with Stuart Crescent.

The planted area on the site of the old exchange is now a memorial to the people of Billinge who gave their lives in the 2 world wars.

[Phyll]

So nice that the land is now a Memorial Site. Here's a link to an article and photo I found about it.

http://www.sthelensr...oured_1_2922487