Beaford

We connect artists and communities with North Devon finding entertaining and extraordinary ways to explore our land, lives and future.

Beaford Archive: An ‘endless tapestry’ of rural north Devon

The Beaford Archive is a testament to the work of the late artist and photographer James Ravilious, who was commissioned by Beaford Arts in 1972 to document the people and landscape of rural north Devon. Ravilious's own work for the Beaford Archive covers the 1970s and 1980s. In addition, he copied over 7,000 old photographs of the same

area spanning the period 1880-1920. On his death in 1999, both collections became the property of Beaford Arts. The archive now holds more than seventy thousand images with a selection of seventeen hundred now available to view online at https://beaford.org/beaford-archive . This archive has become what the Royal Photographic Society calls a ‘unique body of work, unparalleled at least in this country for its scale and quality’.

26/08/2026

One last chance to get creative this summer! 🎬

What does nature mean to you?

With the final August bank holiday of the summer holidays just around the corner, why not grab your phone and make a 30 second film sharing your perspective on nature?

We’ve already received some really beautiful submissions, and our filmmaker, Matt, has been out and about delivering workshops at events and locations across North Devon. We’re excited to share more with you soon!

If you’re aged 11 to 25, there’s still time to take part. Submissions close Monday 31 August.

Find out how to make and submit your film: beaford.org/naturereel

North Devon Unesco Biosphere
361 Community Energy
North Devon Voluntary Services - NDVS
Earth Action North Devon
Westcountry Rivers Trust
The Plough Earth Film Festival

20/08/2026

The Lost Decades continues...

This week we're sharing a missing thread featuring Hatherleigh's fire service and the people who helped keep the town safe.

We're looking for photographs taken in Hatherleigh between 1940 and 1970. Family life, schools, shops, streets, celebrations or work... every image helps fill the gaps in North Devon's recent history.

Bring your photographs to our Hatherleigh Accessioning Day on Saturday 5 September or email [email protected] to find out more.

https://beaford.org/thelostdecades

Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

19/08/2026

FREE filmmaking workshop opportunity for ages 11-25

Join filmmaker Matt Biggs for a free Rock Pool Filmmaking Workshop exploring the rockpools at Westward Ho! Discover these miniature ecosystems and turn your footage into a 30 second Nature Reel.

No filmmaking experience needed, just bring your curiosity!

Wednesday 26 August, Northam Burrows

Part of What Does Nature Mean To You? our summer project, in partnership with North Devon Biosphere Reserve, inviting young people to share their perspective on nature through film.

Limited places available, so book ahead! https://beaford.org/events/rockpool

North Devon Unesco Biosphere
361 Community Energy
North Devon Voluntary Services - NDVS
Earth Action North Devon
Westcountry Rivers Trust
Northam Burrows Country Park
The Plough Earth Film Festival

13/08/2026

This week we're sharing a missing thread from Dolton, connecting photographs across the decades.

Now we're looking for YOUR missing pieces…

Dolton Carnival is renowned for its wonderfully creative fancy dress and we're looking for photographs from 1940 to 1970 that capture those costumes, characters and celebrations.

Do you have an old photograph tucked away in a family album? Your picture could help piece together Dolton's recent history.

Come and find us at the Dolton Table Top Sale on Saturday 5 September to find out more and share your photographs, or drop us an email at [email protected].

beaford.org/thelostdecades

Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

12/08/2026

🎬Fancy making a film about the coast this summer?

Join filmmaker Matt Biggs for a free Rock Pool Filmmaking Workshop for ages 11 to 25.

We’ll explore the rockpools at Westward Ho!, discover what makes this special place meaningful to you and turn your ideas and footage into a 30 second Nature Reel.

No filmmaking experience needed, just bring your curiosity!

Wednesday 26 August, Northam Burrows

Part of What Does Nature Mean To You? our summer project, in partnership with North Devon Biosphere Reserve, inviting young people to share their perspective on nature through film.

Limited places available, so book ahead! https://beaford.org/events/rockpool

North Devon Unesco Biosphere
361 Community Energy
North Devon Voluntary Services - NDVS
Earth Action North Devon
Westcountry Rivers Trust
Northam Burrows Country Park
The Plough Earth Film Festival

06/08/2026

This week we're sharing a missing thread from Bideford Quay, connecting photographs across the decades.

Now we're looking for your missing pieces…

We're searching for photographs taken in Bideford between 1940 and 1970. Family albums, school days, weddings, working life or everyday moments. Every image helps piece together North Devon's recent history.

You may be holding a photograph that completes someone else's story.

Come and see us at the rescheduled Bideford Fair this Saturday 8 August to find out more and share your photographs or drop an email to [email protected].

beaford.org/thelostdecades

Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

05/08/2026

If you're aged 11–25 we want to know what nature means to you.

Make a 30-second film using your phone, camera or whatever device you have to hand. Show us a place you love, something that makes you stop and look, or a moment when you feel connected to the natural world.

There’s no right or wrong way to tell your story…we want to see nature through your eyes.

Find out more at beaford.org/naturereel

Know someone aged 11–25 who might enjoy getting involved? Please share this post with them!

This opportunity is part of the North Devon Biosphere Communities Project, funded by the National Lottery Climate Action Fund and delivered in partnership with Beaford.

North Devon Unesco Biosphere
361 Community Energy
North Devon Voluntary Services - NDVS
Earth Action North Devon
Westcountry Rivers Trust
The Plough Arts Centre
The Plough Earth Film Festival

04/08/2026

Great to see the fantastic mix of activities on offer at Skate Molton CIC... a brilliant asset for young people in South Molton.

If you're heading along tonight, pop over and say hello to filmmaker (and skateboarder!) Matt, who's there on behalf of Beaford as part of our current project with North Devon Unesco Biosphere. He'll be asking 'What Does Nature Mean To You?' and helping young people create a short film inspired by nature.

Come and get creative!

30/07/2026

This week we're sharing a missing thread from Kings Nympton connecting school photographs across generations. It's a reminder that every class picture captures more than a moment. It preserves friendships, families and the story of a community.

Now we're looking for your missing pieces…
We're searching for photographs taken in Kings Nympton between 1940 and 1970. Family albums, school days, weddings, village events, working life, streets or everyday moments... every image helps piece together North Devon's recent history.

Before you throw away that old shoebox or album, have a look through it. You may be holding a photograph that completes someone else's story.

Bring your photographs to our Kings Nympton Accessioning Day on Saturday 24 October or email Kathryn at [email protected] to find out more.
beaford.org/thelostdecades

Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

29/07/2026

Looking for something creative to do this summer? 🌿

If you're aged 11 to 25 we'd love to see what nature means to you.

Create a 30 second film using your phone, camera or any device you have. It could be your favourite place, a moment that catches your eye, or somewhere that helps you feel connected to nature.

Every story is different, and that's exactly what makes this project special.

Find out more at beaford.org/naturereel

Know someone aged 11 to 25 who'd love to take part? Please share this post with them.

This opportunity is part of the North Devon Biosphere Communities Project, funded by the National Lottery Climate Action Fund and delivered in partnership with Beaford.

North Devon Unesco Biosphere
361 Community Energy
Exmoor National Park
North Devon Voluntary Services - NDVS
Earth Action North Devon
Westcountry Rivers Trust
The Plough Arts Centre

Address

95 High Street
Barnstaple
EX311HR

Website

https://beaford.org/

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