1956 brought a splash of colour to Post Office Cable and Wireless Services in the shape of a bright red 27-foot long, 6-ton purpose-built Mobile Telegraph Office, primarily covering sporting events. Commissioned in April of that year and built by Harrington’s of Hove in East Sussex, it had an aluminium body with a 2-stroke Commer diesel engine on a Commer chassis. It would follow major sporting events such as Australian and South African cricket tours of the U.K, International rugby tours and other prime sporting fixtures such as the Open Golf Championships, providing teleprinter and facsimile links to Electra House to convey eagerly awaited press coverage and pictures of the action around the world.
Now known as "Poppy", the bus is now permanently located at Porthcurno Telegraph Museum.
Poppy's first outing from her new home at Porthcurno was in September 2023 at the inaugural Cornish EXPO held at Godolphin House near Helston on the Lizard. The event hosted 50 Cornish organisations representing 'conservation, understanding and enjoyment of Cornwall's heritage and historic environment'. No doubt Poppy was the star of the show. In the October half term visitors including many school children were invited to come aboard and be shown the workings of the mobile telegraph office and in December the windows were decorated with artwork produced by local school children, with internal lights switched on to illuminate them on 8th. 2024 no doubt will bring new adventures for Poppy.
