Excellence Award for Devon Archives and Local Studies Service

The South West Heritage Trust has received a new Excellence Award for its pioneering work in transforming archive services in Devon.

The Archives and Records Association, the lead professional body for archivists, conservators and records managers in the United Kingdom and Ireland, is making the Excellence Awards for the first time. The South West Heritage Trust has received the award for Record-Keeping Service of the Year.

The Trust was nominated by the Friends of Devon’s Archives for work done at the Devon Archives and Local Studies Service since the creation of the Trust in November 2014. The Trust is responsible for heritage services previously managed by Devon and Somerset County Councils.

The Friends of Devon’s Archives praised the Trust for its innovation, vision and professionalism in transforming archive services in Devon and for pioneering new methods of working collaboratively across Devon and Somerset.

Tom Mayberry, Chief Executive of the Trust, said: “We’re delighted to have received the award. It’s a great tribute to our staff, Friends, volunteers and supporters who have worked so hard to care for Devon’s wonderful archive heritage and to make it available to as many people as possible. We’re very grateful to the Friends of Devon’s Archives for nominating the Trust to receive the award.”

Cllr Roger CroadCouncillor Roger Croad, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for heritage services, added: “Congratulations to the Trust for this most well-deserved award.  Through dedication, innovation and sheer hard work the Trust has transformed the Devon Archive and Local Studies Service, improving its accessibility considerably and attracting many more users from the region and further afield.”

The Chairman of the Friends of Devon’s Archives, Dr Ian Mortimer, said: ‘We were delighted to nominate the Trust for all the positive work it has done. The award was decided not just by professional experts but also by a public vote, and it shows the high esteem in which people in Devon hold their local archive services.”

The South West Heritage Trust cares for the written evidence of Devon and Somerset’s history at its Heritage Centres in Exeter, Barnstaple and Taunton. It provides access to millions of documents dating from the 8th century to the present day, and welcomes thousands of visitors and researchers every year who are seeking to discover, understand and enjoy the past.