IT isn’t the end of the line for red phone boxes which are being transformed into a unique series of art projects and events.

The Phone Box project run by the Canopy group has chosen several artists to work with Forest community groups to open up phone booth doors to the public once more.

Red boxes at Yorkley, Clements End, Sling, Whitecroft, Ellwood, Berry Hill, Viney Hill and Christchurch will be a canvas for each artist to showcase community-designed art events in small spaces.

The artists for each box are: Carol Laidler (Yorkley), Dominique Baker and Hannah Aebi (Clements End), Henry Maddicott (Sling), Jean Goubert (Whitecroft), Sharon Foley (Ellwood), Tina Hitchens and the Sheabang collective (Christchurch); and Jenny Cashmore, Nichola Goff, Sarah Wyatt (Berry Hill and Viney Hill).

The artists are keen to hear from community groups from each village to find out what they would like to see in their red box, with each working in their own artistic disciplines from movement to poetry, theatre to sound.

Poet and theatre maker Henry Maddicott, who will be working with the Sling community says: “I want to gather local stories from people who live in the area about their experiences from the mundane to wild hand me down stories that get passed on through the years.

“I also want to continue to look at the ancient folklore that is abundant in the area that has always fascinated me, and combine all this information to create a modern re-telling of these myths and legends entwined in real experiences for a modern audience.

“Because the natural environment of the area is so important I want to make sure that is represented within the installation as plants, flowers, trees tell their own story of a location.

“By telling a story through plants we increase the sensory aspects of the installation making it more accessible to people who may not feel comfortable or engaged with hearing or reading poetry alone.

“I’ve heard that the Sling in Bloom group are keen to plant flowers in the box which I think sounds like a wonderful idea although we are yet to discuss details.”

Artists for each box are now getting involved with community groups to find out what each area would like represented for the final event next Spring.

Carolyn Black, Canopy creative arts and culture project manager said: “Phase one will help artists better understand the place where the phone boxes are, learning about what the community would like to see.

“It’s really important because the people in the villages will have a sense of ownership over their local phone booth.

“The artists would love to have the community’s input to guide their ideas.”

Meanwhile, Ross-on-Wye Town Council has backed BT proposals sent to Herefordshire Council to decommission phone boxes in The Avenue and Walford Road.

The Avenue phone was used just once in the last year, while the latter had 24 calls made from it.

Cllr Paul Symonds, who is also a county councillor, told a meeting of the town council there was not a “robust case to retain them”.

The town council’s amenities committee was asked to investigate any potential uses for the vacant phone boxes.

For contact details for each artist in the Canopy project and to find out more information about it go to canopycreativenetwork.wordpress.com/the-phone-box-project