Where Is It & Who Is It For?
The Archive is based in the Northam Town Council Office, 1 Windmill Lane, Northam and rents rooms on the ground, first and second floors which provides access for all members of the public. The addition of 2 fireproof safes has enabled us to securely store films and microfiche. New shelving has been purchased and installed ensuring that the bound copies of the Gazette newspaper are stored in the correct (horizontal) position.
The Archive is used by many local writers as a source of reference material for their publications and receives enquiries from across the world as well as visiting researchers from the UK.
The visitors’ book for 2015 identifies 65 visits including a 12 year old undertaking research for a school project, university students preparing dissertation material and numerous family historians.
The Archive gives presentations to associations and clubs on local interest topics, and engages with other local institutions such as the Burton Art Gallery. Volunteers attend local fairs and heritage days, use social media and provide articles for publications such as My Town, Bideford Buzz and The Link.