Getting the message across. The importance of staying in touch
What a year it’s been!
It’s been a while, but Team Selby have still been working their magic in the background, just quietly! Things have got to be better this year, surely? Hopefully this year will be the one where we all get talking again.
Speaking of which, it was around this time last year (before things really went crazy) that a lucky beach cleaner in the Shetland Isles, discovered a message in a bottle.
It was a Win, Win Situation. Why? Well, first of all, this considerate chap rid the sea of yet another bottle (which to be fair was made of glass, not plastic, but nevertheless…). Added to this, being the receiver of the message entitled him to a $1000 (£770) cash prize and not only this - the equivalent would go to a charity of his choice (he chose an environmental charity, obviously!). What a find!
So, what were his plans for his unexpected cash injection? Let’s start with the charity – where else other than The Ocean Cleanup? And his own cash? An old, red telephone box! The gentleman bought this whimsical purchase from BT, who run a scheme for the adoption of unused telephone boxes, which they sell to local communities to get creative with and enjoy. Yes, £1.00! And No, unfortunately they are not available to purchase privately – boo!
Since the launch of the scheme in 2008, it’s unbelievable what some of these iconic British structures have been converted into with creations including Coffee Bars, Micro Nightclubs (yes, you heard correctly) and Libraries, to name just a few. And the usage of the telephone box for this chap? Memories! This kind, thoughtful person restored the telephone box to its former glory, by giving it a lick of paint (BT phone box red, of course!), and a new door. Situated in a beautiful picturesque location, his vision was for somewhere the community and visitors could enjoy – he even added a book where people could write of their memories. How lovely.
But it doesn’t end there.
The company who had thrown the message bottle into the ocean, a New York-based technology magazine publisher, had admitted to feeling a little guilty about throwing the bottle, which they didn’t think would be rescued any time soon. They were surprised to receive the email confirming that this had been picked up. And the coincidence here? The same company notably published pictures of phone booths on the back cover if its magazine… if you believe in fate, then this was meant to be, surely?
Compared to the oldest message in a bottle sent (dated 12th June 1886), this was in actual fact a reasonably quick find. Discovered in Australia three years ago, the message wasn’t instantly recognisable to the finders, who had said it looked like “a rolled up” cigarette. After drying it in the oven for a few minutes, they soon made a remarkable discovery. With the help of a museum, they discovered that the bottle was part of an experiment by the German Naval Observatory who were testing shipping routes. They also discovered that it was likely to have landed just a year later however it had got buried in the sand!
Thankfully, communicating with the rest of the world isn’t quite as slow as it would have been back in 1886. The last year has signified a completely different way of communicating and all electronic… not always reliable when you want it to be – just like that message from 1886.
Hopefully 2021 will see the return of the older, traditional methods of communication, and no, we’re not talking about sending a message in a bottle, just seeing each other! Whether we’ve been in touch electronically recently, or not (and of course, once this madness is behind us), let’s make 2021 a more personal year. Rather than an email, send a letter and rather than a phone call, let’s see each other!
However you wish to keep in touch, KEEP IN TOUCH! For the time being, simply call us on 0161 339 5132 or whizz an email to [email protected] if you need help with your project – and stay safe and well.







