This Is Me: New photography exhibition celebrates the people of North Devon

The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon’s annual Documentary Photography Open exhibition opens this April featuring works submitted by members of the public in response to the theme, ‘This Is Me’.

The exhibition provides a fascinating insight into who the people of North Devon are today. Alongside contemporary photographs, the museum will display a collection of historic portraits by acclaimed photographer and documenter of North Devon life, James Ravilious.

The museum’s long-standing annual Documentary Photography Open is open to both amateur and professional photographers. This year’s open introduced a dedicated category for 14-18 year olds for the first time, aiming to capture the voices and perspectives of younger people in North Devon.

The exhibition also features photographs taken by GCSE students from Pilton Community College. These images were created as part of a ‘Selfies to Self-Aware Portrait Project', facilitated by a local artist and funded by the Richard and Siobhan Coward Foundation Fund.

Alison Mills, Director of the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon, said: “Our annual Documentary Photography Open is an exhibition truly shaped by local people and a highlight of our year! This year’s theme, This Is Me, asked people to explore their own identity and place in a fast-moving world – it asked them to share their own personal story through the medium of photography.

“Museums are storehouses for stories past and present, and part of our mission is to tell as many of those stories as possible. We also welcome the opportunity to share photographs by James Ravilious from our collection. They capture the spirit of our region from a not-so-distant past and never fail to move and delight.”

'This is Me'. Prom dresses are useless if you only ever go to muddy fields. Photo © Nell Savage (All Rights Reserved)

The Documentary Photography Open exhibition opened on the 25th April and runs until 20th June 2026.

The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4.30pm. Entrance is free.

Website link - This is Me! Documentary Photography Open 2026 – Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon

 

01271 388784 | barnstaplemuseum.org.uk

The Square, Barnstaple EX32 8LN

Wendy’s Story: A Former Teacher Now Living at Heanton Nursing Home

With National Teachers’ Day approaching in early May, it feels especially fitting to celebrate Wendy, a teacher whose life was shaped by language, learning and a deep belief in helping others grow.

Wendy spent her entire working life in secondary schools as a French teacher. Over the years she grew in her career, becoming Head of Languages and later Deputy Head, all while continuing to teach the subject she loved most. In the evenings she taught A-Level French, exploring French literature with her students.

French was her true speciality. She spoke it fluently, though she could also step in to teach Spanish and German when needed. She was described as a strict but fair, the kind of teacher who expected the best but always believed her students could achieve it.

Many of those lessons extended far beyond the classroom walls. Wendy was always happy to join the French exchanges, travelling with her students to Argences and exploring towns across the Normandy region. These trips suited her perfectly, as history is also a passion of hers.

On many of those trips she was accompanied by her lifelong friend and colleague, Jenny.

Jenny had travelled to France with the school many times, even though she had never taken French as a GCSE. One day Wendy simply said to her, “Well, you keep coming to France, you really should have your GCSE.”

So, Wendy taught her.

With Wendy’s guidance, Jenny went on to achieve an A*. It was a small but perfect example of the kind of teacher Wendy was. Someone who quietly believes people are capable of more than they think.

Today Wendy lives with Alzheimer’s at Heanton Nursing Home. The condition may change many things, but her identity remains beautifully clear.

At Heanton, there is a belief that life doesn’t end when someone moves into care, it carries on. The focus is on understanding the person behind the diagnosis, so that even as things change, there is still meaning, familiarity and a sense of home in the everyday.

You might find her marking a set of mock papers the team have printed for her, carefully looking through them just as she did for years in school. If your shoes aren’t quite right, she might gently tell you off if they don’t quite look like proper uniform. And if you meet her, you may well find yourself calling her Miss Harris.

There is almost always a book nearby. Wendy has always loved reading, particularly English literature, and she is often happiest sitting quietly with a book in hand or spending time doing arts and crafts, whether that’s during the day or when joining the homes monthly sessions with Ruth Bateman.

To read more about the events and people at Heanton News & Blogs - Heanton Nursing Home - Devon Nursing Home

Happy Earth Day from North Devon

We can't save the world but we can do a little to help the environment, the natural world and wildlife and we can help by planting wild flowers and making sure they are preserved in their natural environment. 'No Mow May' will hopefully help with this, our local Devon councils have done a great job over the past couple of years leaving the wildflowers to flourish by the roadsides.  

Here is a photo of a tiny little wildflower predominant (but hiding in plain sight) in hedgerows, woodlands, green lanes and roadside borders leaving mile after mile of bounty for bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

The Common Dog-violet flowers from April to June and is the food source for High-Brown Fritillary Butterfly caterpillars. I had a little look in the leaves and petals in the banks beside the path through an ancient woodland the other day but did not see any. 

According to Butterfly Conservation "The High Brown Fritillary was once widespread in England and Wales but since the 1950s has undergone a dramatic decline. It is now reduced to around 50 sites where conservationists are working to save it from extinction."

FACT CHECKING

What would we do without Google and Wikepedia

TAP HERE TO READ ALL ABOUT BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION -  

"A world where butterflies and moths thrive and can be enjoyed by everyone, forever." 

TAP HERETO VISIT WOODLAND TRUST for more information on the Common Dog Violet (Viola riviniana)

TAP HERE TO READ ALL ABOUT EARTH DAY