After serious thinking Nick wrote :
Hello.
as header really.
Phone is an old bakelite gadget with 3 wires that would have been hardwired
into a junction box.
Can this be connected to a more modern plug in BT socket and if so ~ how?

I can't remember the old connection colours, but just cut a lead with
plug off a modern but redundant phone. There is a web site dedicated to
the UK phone system which carries lots of information about connecting
old phones to the modern system. Impulse (loop disconnect?) dialing is
still supported by the UK exchanges, so there is no reason for it not
to work.

--
Regards,
Harry (M1BYT) (L)
http://www.ukradioamateur.co.uk