END-OF-TERM party, or attempt to see how many people could be crammed into a telephone kiosk? a friend asked. I should explain I did not send Christmas cards as such last year, instead sending photos from a series of local memories and views I ve had pri

END-OF-TERM party, or attempt to see how many people could be crammed into a telephone kiosk? a friend asked.

I should explain I did not send Christmas cards as such last year, instead sending photos from a series of local memories and views I've had printed.

The caption on the back of the card does state that this shows the celebration when one of the Post Wobegon phone boxes became a listed building.

What the card does not reveal is that I was the victim of a practical joke. I was not expected to produce this picture.

It later became apparent that the news editor of a certain provincial evening newspaper did not anticipate that the parish council members would be delighted to group themselves around the phone box. Not only did one bring a bottle of champagne, but Alfred, our late council chairman, well known for his temperance outlook, was actually photographed having a drink poured out for him.

The box was opposite a typical village pub. Now this is a Thai restaurant flanked by Oriental figures which view it with unflinching glass-like gaze.