'Forgotten' village stories shared in phone box

An artist has created a telephone box where visitors can record and listen to stories celebrating the history of a village in Nottinghamshire.

The red phone box is based in Mansfield Lane, Calverton, and has been created by artist Hannah Thomas alongside a number of volunteers.

It features nine audio recordings of stories from people in the village, sharing memories and information about its history.

"Calverton's history isn't largely recorded, so I wanted to create a space where people can share their memories and learn more about the village," Thomas said.

The telephone box went on display on 17 May, but it will be leaving on 3 June.

The exterior is made of wood and has a custom-built phone inside. Its stained glass windows have been created by members of the community.

It works by dialling a number between one and nine, with each number playing a different recording.

Thomas, 34, said she was inspired to start the project in Calverton as she lived in the area as a teenager.

She said she wanted the recordings to reflect a side of Calverton's history that people might not know about.

"When most people think of Calverton, they think of its mining past and that's it, but there is more to the village than that," she said.

"People have shared stories about the generations of their family that lived here, and even how Calverton twins with a town in France - Longué-Jumelles.

"The village is going through lots of changes with plans for new housing developments, and it's important that these people know about its history."

Thomas added that it is important for people to have a physical space to access this information.

She said: "There is something nostalgic about going into a telephone box... people can come inside and be in their own little world listening to these stories.

"Accessing something on your phone doesn't have the same impact as this."

The artist plans to move the phone box to locations across the country and wants people from rural communities in particular to "share their stories".

"I want to get this up and running in other villages as a way to connect people to where they are from," she added.

"I am proud to be from Calverton, and I want other people to know about its stories too."

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