Crossword Genius

Hub in Menabilly drops telephones (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

blowers

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'telephones' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

'hub in menabilly drops' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'drops' could be 'lowers' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'lowers' is found within the answer.
A single letter 'b' remains which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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