The Last Telephone Box Painter in London (WET PAINT - A SHORT DOCUMENTARY)
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- When Robert Pammen, an old school painter from London, saw telephone box near his home that was looked run he decided to give it a fresh coat of paint...
Starring Robert Pammen
Directed, shot and edited by Matthieu Livingston
Additional sound mixing and design by Maria Barsukova
Website: www.matthieulivingston.com
IG: / matthieu_livingston - บันเทิง
Hi Thankyou ❤ for your comments I painted 9 phone boxes for bt voluntary in my free time weekends. They gave me permission as I am a professional painter. Rob
Rob your doing a good job. I’d love to meet you and hear your story personally. Take care.
A true national treasure
God bless Rob. Turn to Christ if you haven't already! Believe, repent, and be baptised, and you will have eternity in heaven with the Lord to paint.
You’re fantastic! I restore old wooden floors and work with my dad, we both love those linbide scrapers as well. I agree, making something beautiful again is so satisfying ❤️
@@CreationK. Give it a rest mate
What a charming little film. This has brightened my day and made me think that there are still plenty of good people in England. I am a northern man and I send my best wishes to Robert.
All the best to you too! from Rob
I hope British Telecom reimbursed him for the paint materials. From what I see of the UK, many services are kept running by the power of volunteers especially in rural communities. I wish Mr. Pammen the best and thank you for this gem of a short documentary.
All the best to you! from Rob
I disagree that volunteers keep many rural services running. I’ve lived rurally in the UK for 15 years + and can’t think of a single service of that type. If anything, there just seem to be more and more unnecessary services aimed at buying pensioners votes funded by the taxpayers.
@@sam.p12345 I've seen (from TH-cam and various groups I follow in the UK) volunteer drivers on small busses which connect rural towns, volunteers lending a hand in maintaining community orchards and gardens, volunteers maintaining public lands (mowing).
It's not skyscrapers and tourist attractions that make London it's the people...this film illustrates that perfectly.
@notme1345 Sadiq Khan despises white working class Londoners.... they are and far between nowadays. He's destroyed the real character of this city.
It certainly is, london is now known for acid attacks knife crime and greed
and the phone boxes ☺
Allah ho Akbar. As the Londoners like to say.
Allah o Ak a bar. As the Londoners like to say.
"I'm okay Matt....(takes a beat).......I'm okay". God damn that hurt way too deeply. Who's cutting onions out here? lol. Watching someone just be passionate about something and just finding joy in it. Hits differently. Well done Matthieu, and good on you Robert. Cheers from across the pond.
Him and Susan going for lunch was all I wanted to hear ☺️
same, old geezer still got it
Apparentley, they…..painted the town Red! 😂
Robert my man, your son will be so proud of you. Keep teaching him those values and he will grow into a wonderful young man just like yourself.
Thankyou for what said. My best wishes to you! from Rob
A true Londoner through and through, real salt of the earth. A dying breed indeed.
Totally agree.
For sure this guy is the same breed as me born and bred in the "Smoke"
tru londeners can't aford to live in london . try spain or portugal '
“Sometimes you have to let things be what they are” wow. What a quote. Loved this. Thank you so much for it.
The world needs more people like Robert. He has a real sense of tranquillity and passion for life. Good man ☺️
Lovely film about a lovely bloke. BT made £1.7 billion profit last year - and they don’t pay him to do such a worthwhile job. Must try harder BT.
Not evething is about money
People don't use these anymore. Worse still, many of the ones in London are now damaged.
@@norberto_nepo "Not everything is about money" Try saying that to the billionaire corporations slowly ruining all of our lives.
BT should be paying this chap. It’s nice to see somebody who adds real community value and for me, these are the people who really deserve a knighthood.
definitely deserves payment. tightarse multi million pound companies for ya!
Yes, I agree. Wouldnt harm them to pay him a modest sum per box , after all , if they had to employ someone to do it then it would cost them £1000's in holiday pay , sick pay , pension contributions ect let alone a persons actual wage .
@BT , Please pay this legend as he deserves it !
You are both wrong.The man is a complete mug.Ok it would be nice to think he’s doing it out of a community thing ,however if everyone had his mentality then imagine what state our Public buildings would be like or private old style buildings if left to good willed enthusiasts.No the time for gestures like his have gone,I would even charge an old woman to cross the road because councils rely on us to do it instead of providing more zebra crossings.They days of good will are gone.
@@Andy-x3e4z wow. Just wow 😮😬🤦♂️
Aren't you just one horrible sour minded person @@Andy-x3e4z
YOU SHOULD BE PAID FOR THIS WORK ROBERT
A multimillion-pound company relying on a volunteer is absurd.
It’s clearly not a job for him. He doesn’t have to do it
@@DrRusty5 Try multi billion pound company.
This is fantastic! We need more people who appreciate working with their hands and living a simple life. People who do things with love in a society that pushes for fast and cheap.
God bless you, Robert. The world needs more selfless gents like you to make the world a better place.
Nice of you to say! All the best to you! from Rob
'Sometimes you have to let things be what they are.' Wise words from Robert. Cheers!
A true gentleman! Putting back into his community, thank you for your efforts.
Super video. Really beautifully shot. I like that style!
Mr Pammen reminds me of my late father who was also a painter and decorator. Dad used to use all the horrible materials like Robert. Lead paint and distemper! He dressed similarly and smoked like a chimney too!
Great characters like Mr Pammen are a rare breed. Great chap!
Hi it reminds when I was young, what you say I worked with old school painter one I remember he was such a nice man he was never without a cigarette on the side of his lips. We worked hard we just did the job. Good days! ❤
An amazing man restoring an iconic symbol of our once great nation!
Hi Harry all the best! Rob
Lovely film as a semi retired painter and Decorator myself I remember the days of red and white lead primer and calcium plumbate. Terrible for the health and actually also hazardous as dust from sanding and the fumes of lead paint when burning it off are also bad stuff but it was no surprise it was so widely used because it lasted so lond especially on windows because the paint was like lead in that it’s flexible. Oops I’ve gone orf on one must be the brain damage. I loved this film Robert reminded me of the old boys I served my apprenticeship with all decent hard working Londoners. Thanks for this film it’s lovely
If only more people still had the proud British spirit. What a amazing bloke. Cheers Rob you made my day
Thankyou! All the best to you! from Rob
For the life of me I do not understand how you're not at 1.88 million subscribers. This was poetry in motion. Bravo.
That’s a very specific number…
Watch the subs skyrocket in the next 6 months. This channel is clearly going places with content like this.
It was almost therapeutic!
Lovely work man , yeah ! You still got it Rob snapped up lunch with the lovely Susan
More please. Slice of life shorts are essential for capturing life's fleeting sanities.
Well put there are a lot of people of all colours and creeds who want nothing more than to be contented. Sanity as you say
These old boys are worth their wait in gold ! You would not get any of the younger people doing that for nothing other than pleasure- good on ya Geezer 👍
Weight
You beat me to it recall 😂😂
Typo Guys !
Thank you Robert, it's nice to know someone in the UK ( London) is preserving these beautiful old Telephone Booths. I always admired these old Telephone Booths on my trips to the UK, we have nothing like them in Australia. 👍 Au
He looks like an artist when he's painting - fully engaged and loose and confident - it's beautiful
Thankyou! from Rob
Reading the title of the video, I had an expectation of the person.
The expectation was more than met.
Proper geezer.
Get this fella a pint. Cheers mate, we appreciate your efforts.
As a Painter and decorator & Oil Painting Artist I throughly Enjoyed this ! Love how old school he is , no kettle just straight out of the tin & no gloves ! 🙂👍
i do not live in London but at 67 yrs of age and been a painter from the age of 15 yrs this story got my attention. hes so right about rubbing down[ sand papering] old paint with lead in it people should be aware when doing old properties up. you are doing a great job Robert...1st class...wishing you well for the future
What a great montage about a great guy doing a "priceless service" his legacy will be around for years and years, Robert kept reminding me of Norman Wisdom, warm, kind thoughtful, keep up the good, no great work
Robert is a better painter than Damian Hurst, and makes more of a contribution to Old London Town.
Thank you Robert.
What a lovely guy. Passionate about what he does. Nice to hear about some of the history of what he’s done in the past and about the boxes.
The passers buy almost look confused as to what he’s doing.
What a brilliant short film. I started my decorating career in the mid 90's but was taught by some right old-school painters whose knowledge & wisdom I still use to this day. I've left the Trade now but still look back with fond memories although my knees and tell a different story.
You and me both I started in 1985 and I’m still going strong it’s a nice trade we are people pleasers
Beautiful slice-of-life doc. Great little insight into an interesting bloke with an under appreciated craft. Well shot and tastefully edited too.
Brilliant viewing, used to be programmes like this on BBC about people and their jobs but they are no longer interested. Thoroughly enjoyed this.
Such a heartwarming story about a man and his way of giving back some love to the world. I really liked the fact that you also mentioned that he and susan met again
I watched this yesterday and regret not writing a comment. This documentary is so beautiful♥️
Priceless - thank you so much for documenting this man and this moment in time…
Absolutely fantastic story and superb photography. 👏🏻👏🏻
Beautiful, nothing more British, such a part of our history, and Robert that really cares, I can see it brings him great enjoyment, So glad Susan came back, a lovely lady. Brought tears to my eyes, If more people were like this the world would be a better place.
That video really made me think, How many lives have been saved by those Red phone boxes.
Thanks Matt.... Please Like...
What a Legend and a NW8 chap. I grew up in NW8 Lisson Grove as would love to buy him a pint to say Thank You for his service and dedication to a London Landmark.
Wonderful little film !
What a great doc. I love it. Just a craftsman loving what he does. Visually stunning and a great story.
I admire greatly what you do - i have always wanted to repaint many tatty boxes I have seen. I wanted to buy one some day but I lost my job and my house so nowhere to put one now! I now see tatty Post Boxes so I may start painting those when I retire shortly. Keep up the great work Rob you are a true hero for the old phone boxes!🎖🏅🏆
Passion in his vioce . Stirling geezer
All the best! Mark from Rob
Top bloke , I’m from Swiss Cottage and know Scott Ellis garden well. My brother lived in those flats opposite lords. Keep up the good work.
Rob , who did you used to work for back in the day ???
Beautiful story!
I love these telephone boxes we could do with so many wonderful people like you thank you so much .l am 80 and they make me feel so sad in need of you .
Absolutely fantastic, amazing work Robert
My name is Anthony Lynch and I am an English teacher in The Czech republic. I just want to say thankyou to Matt and Robert because I have been using this short documentary as a listening exercise all week in the classroom with my students adding a Q and A. format. Great British cultural Video, brilliantly edited and enjoyed by me and many of my Czech students.
Just dont teach them that foccin cockney accent
What an absolute gem of a person Robert is. Bless his heart.🙏🇦🇺
Lovely little documentary. Well done all.
This little look into Robert’s life was amazing, he seems like such a genuine and kind person. Make updates!
Hi Taylor all the best to you! from Rob
Incredible
Thank you! These needed painting don’t know why that’s not maintained with the council tax, what a great man ❤️
Hi Katie bt own them not the council
What a Great man indeed taking proper care of the real British red phone boxes ❤ we need more people like this ❤
I simply love this video, it’s simply well done, well paced and the story telling perfect.
You sir (Mr Pammen) are a legend and get one of my very infrequent comments and likes. Please keep being awesome!
Thankyou! All the best to you! from Rob
A beautiful film and what a legend and a gentleman!
What a gem this short video is, Rob reminds me of an old England, full of good men.
Hi I can relate to Richard and this lovely video .I am a old Simi Retired decorator myself and I think Richard is a very wise old owl ,I also started as a decorator at eighteen and was taught at the start that decorating is a disease and once it gets in your blood you will never leave it .I still do little decorating jobs and enjoy it .Regards Chris
Thank you YT algorithm. This was great. Cheers to Robert and to Matt for the work he does
I'm glad Rob & his story has been documented for all time, pure history. Great story.
Beautiful to see how Robert is so passionate about his work ❤ As am also a Painter much Respect Robert 😊💯
Hi moses keep up the good work, do your best and enjoy your days! Rob
The pathos in this short is nothing short of wonderful. Well done Matt & Robert!
nice work! love the 10 foot tags on the windows also, authentic london feel haha
I loved this! People like Rob restore my faith in human nature. Top man, thank you.
Robert Pammen, you are a great painter with a wonderful soul. 😊
What an amazing character. And also a brilliant tradesmen who takes pride in every last detail 👌 a bit of a Norman wisdom type who I also love. Robert, I salute you 🙏🙋♂️ and I hope you and the lady meet up for a meal again ✊🏼
Nice little story & well produced 👍 cheers to Robert 🍻 🇬🇧
I was part of a refurb job back in 1996/7 where we were sent out in pairs to journey around painting and re-glazing these things! traveled around Wales and the deep valleys with a compressor, needle guns, red paint and boxes of glass, brass bits etc. Had a blast doing this stuff :)
That was really moving, and what a brilliant job you've done, Robert. Love the old phone boxes.
Thankyou! Brian from rob
Great story and great work Mr Pammen.
What a delightful gentleman. Somehow the algorithm brought me here. Been years since I've been to London but I always felt good vibes there. Warm greetings from Canada.
Thank you for your personal generosity and for keeping those iconic telephone booths worthy of many more happy smiling residents and visitors. ❤
Hello! Kari it was a pleasure to do them for people to enjoy them. All the best! from Rob
Brilliant film , well done Rob
This world needs more down to earth, decent people like you Rob 😊 A tip of my hat to you good sir 🙂
Thankyou! to say that. All the best! Rob
This is beautiful work, and as an ex painter of 20 years, this gentleman is a rare breed. Such a beautiful and sympathetic piece of film. Bravo Sir, Bravo 👏
An absolute gem of a film! Many thanks...
What an incredible mini documentary. The editing is perfect. You captured him so well. He seems like a wonderful person. So genuine in emotion. Not to mention how great of a job he did!
A beautiful little film. Rob is an inspration.
Thankyou! ShedTV All the best! from Rob
Bravo Robert, good man. Man after my own heart.
And bravo Mathieu👏
Thankyou! Charlie from Rob
What a great job Robert does. Wonderful Chap.❤
Thankyou! Rosemary best wishes! Rob
sweet little vignette ☺ and i sensed a little something between Robert and Susan 😆 come on BT, pay this man! if you can't be bothered to preserve these world-famous boxes, pay people who will!
Hello!, sarah I did them voluntary they look good again.. There's no romance. from Rob
Great little Video, Very well done, Genuinely enjoyed watching it. Robert your doing an amazing job, Nice to see some being restored to such a good standard. They should all be kept like that. Red phone boxes are like a London identity. Really nice to see!
Enjoyed watching this, a story nicely told. Great to see Rob taking pride in his work and the area.
This was a pleasant watch. Thank you for sharing his story!
Loved watching this, fair play to you rob. This is what a proper bloke looks like people 👏
A beautiful little film Matt, very moving as well. I just love these London stories .
Good luck to Robert as well, its a great thing he is doing. Best thing I've seen on TH-cam for ages. 10/10
Thankyou! Billy from Rob
I hope London gives him a grant to support his work
Loved this! As someone else said - Poetry .
This is brilliant! Good work, Robert, and thank you Matt!
I came upon this by chance.
What a delightful film about a delightful man doing what he enjoys.
Keep up thd good work all.
Beautifully shot and fascinating subject and guy. 👍👏
Marvellous bit of film making Matt. Please do more of these on the real characters and London folk. Its sad to see the state of London now , this guy is born and bred and takes real passion in his art and what he does. Thank you for taking so much pride sir
When he said “I’m okay” - Deep AF! Much love brotha! 🤙
Thankyou! ❤
Just a bloke who likes to work and do a good job. Brilliant, thanks for the mini-doc
This is fantastic. A great insight into something I didn’t even know I wanted to know about. Now I want to know more.
This is seriously good. Great job. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼