 |
As the demand for Telephone Service continued to increase, the Telephone Areas took on more staff, which in turn required additional accommodation. Some Areas rented floors in adjacent offices, while others took the opportunity to relocate to brand new buildings. These moves may also have been due to the separation of Posts and Telecommunications, as shared facilities were no longer an advantage. |
The late 1970s saw Post Office Telecommunications engage in new marketing initiatives to sell the phone to the 'modern home'. With developments such as 'Viewdata', the telephone was now combined with the television set with the promise to revolutionise both business and leisure communications. The word 'telephone' was no longer sufficient to describe the activities of the rapidly developing company.
Historically, Area Offices had been named 'Telephone House', but in keeping with the emerging technology the new office in Plymouth was 'Telecom House'.
Telecom House
Steve Ash writes...
"I helped in the fitting out of Telecom House, Plymouth in about 1980. This was the first Telecom House in the country I believe (Telephone House being the normal name for GMOs or General Managers Offices). I recall the then chairman (George Jefferson) of the Post Office unveiling a plaque in the reception area. I worked there in various offices incl. Sales, Traffic, TAG and latterly in the Drawing Office. Sadly the building is no longer occupied by BT."
"I have worked for Post Office Telephones and BT since 1977; my mother worked for them from 1941 to 1981 as did my father from the 1950s. I still work for BT as a Service Manager - currently re-building the PSTN onto a new packet-switched platform. Ah, for the days of checking the gaps on Strowger switches."
Steve Ash
Land Rover
 |
Local businesses usually entered a float in the annual carnival of the town as it was good publicity and fun too! |
All logos and trade marks are the property of their respective owners and are used on the Light Straw site(s) for review only. Students and researchers are recommended to make their own independent enquiries as to the accuracy of the information contained therein.