And so to continue our sequence on ye olde poles – we seem to keep uncovering ever more ancient ones. Very special thanks to Gene Kingsley who sent us this photo of a pole that is presently 105 years old and still standing at Spalding, Lincolnshire. Gene reckons this pole is not long for this world because it has a “D” label on it. But I know of poles, still standing, that have been labelled thus for years so it could be around for a while yet.
www.bbc.co.ukSurely though, it’s going to be hard to beat the pole which BT Openreach recently donated to the Orkney Museum in Kirkwall. This pole was still going strong despite having been in active service since 1894. The only reason it was taken down was because the markings used by BT to check the pole have been weathered away. However, the date of 1894 is still clearly visible. Making this 119 year old beauty the oldest telegraph pole in the UK.
Unless you know different of course.