General

It’s amazing the number of enquiries we get about telegraph poles.  The latest being from Caroline Walker from Decentchapsmusic in Nottinghamshire.  She asks :

“We have a TP in the corner of our front garden, under which is the only place where we can park our beloved bandwagon….unfortunately 4000 birds like to perch on top of said TP and go about their daily business which lands directly on the windscreen, bonnet, roof and door.  Is there a large ‘tray’ that can be positioned under our feathered friends, or perhaps an ‘Eagle’ perched on top of the TP to persuade the little twitters to go elsewhere.  Any useful advice would be much appreciated!!”

I have been known to stand on a box in a street corner shouting down an upturned traffic cone in order to dispense my useful advice.  So without further ado…

Starlings are birds that like to fly in flocks that are exact multiples of 100 which explains why there are precisely 4,000 of them.  If you had said 3,978 or 4,017 then I would have to suggest some other type of bird like ospreys or Ibis or something.

According to my calculations though, each bird must only be the size of a grain of rice in order for 4,000 of them to perch atop a pole which has a horizontal perching area of only about 100 sq inches.  Unless of course you were looser in your description and the birds were actually spread  out along the wire.  We’ll never know.

Anyway, other than warning you to beware of damage caused by jumpers landing on your passing bandwagon, the answer to your question is a resounding “Yes”!

In anticipation of our sage advice (now duly given) Caroline became the latest member to join our wonderful society and share with us the joy of telegraph poles.  Anyway Caroline, our large membership dept is presently away on telegraph pole related business and will be back to post you out your member pack next Tuesday.  Meanwhile, here is a little picture of a certificate to whet your appetite.

Dear fellow enthusiasts,

The following appeal for information landed on our doorstep today (metaphorically speaking):

“I have a few questions for you guys out there and would appreciate any help. There our 2 poles on our private land.

Are we entitled to “rent” for them? (I know it is probably a paltry sum they are carrying electric overhead cables)

And what is the lifespan of them? I presume that the little oblong plate with the number 63 followed by 1124 would probably mean 1963. So at over 45 years old is that too old? and they would require replacing?

thanks for your help

Paul”

Well Paul, let me start by saying that I am considerably over 45 years old  and yes, I am much too old and I do indeed need replacing.

Meanwhile, we have two telegraph poles on our fields also, and we get an annual payment of £28 (wayleave) for the pair.  Please search for “telegraph pole wayleave” on the internet, and also have a look at the following page :

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=295306

However, as for your remaining questions, we have some veteran telegraph pole connoisseurs on this site and I’m sure one of them could answer how long your poles might be expected to last and whether the 63 really does mean it’s been in the ground since 1963.

Please click here and tell us if you can help Paul.