An 88-year-old phone box named ‘Delilah’ in Castle Cary has been transformed into a dazzling tribute for this year’s Glastonbury Festival. This classic Gilbert Scott telephone box, originally installed in 1937, is now adorned with golden sparkles and bold white letters spelling out “HAPPY GLASTO!”.
Previously decommissioned and left to deteriorate, the phone box has found new life as a charming bus stop for festival-goers heading to Glastonbury on Sunday, June 29. Laura Leaver, 50, rescued the historic structure from removal last year. “Our telephone box had been decommissioned a very long time ago and had been left to rot… literally,” Laura explains.
When the council considered removing it, Laura stepped forward with a vision to preserve and revitalize the box as a community asset. After numerous discussions, she took on the project, dedicating over 250 hours to its restoration and decoration.
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The name ‘Delilah’ came about spontaneously during a BBC interview when Laura was asked if the phone box had a name – a quick improvisation that stuck.
Reflecting on her work, Laura describes the makeover as giving Delilah “a bit of exfoliation, a reapplication of her makeup,” breathing fresh life into the beloved local icon.
The community has warmly embraced the revamped phone box, with one resident praising it as “a wonderful addition to our town” and another enthusiastically declaring, “She’s looking FABulous!”
Laura’s passion for Glastonbury extends beyond Delilah. She’s also part of the festival’s vibrant scene, working at The Glade Café and Bar. Speaking on Wednesday, June 25, she shared, “The bar is open as of 20 minutes ago! The site is already packed!”
The Glade is known for its colourful atmosphere and laid-back vibe, featuring a stellar lineup including Groove Armada, Faithless, Mad Professor, DJ Tennis, Ozric Tentacles, and more.
Glastonbury Festival runs from Wednesday, June 25, through Sunday, June 29, promising a celebration full of music, community spirit, and memorable moments.