James Ravilious, photographer 1939-1999

In the early 1970's the photographer, James Ravilious, was asked by John Lane, director of the newly formed Beaford Archive, to photograph local life in the community that he lived. Asked to take 'a few photos' for the collection, James set out to create a record of life in the towns and villages of this part of North Devon. During the next 17 years he took over 80,000 black and white images depicting all facets of local and everyday life. Perhaps the most evocative and iconic pictures were of the landscape and the agricultural life which it supported. This was a true catalogue of rural England which, in addition to detailing the beauty and splendour of our countryside, historically illustrated both the harshness of existence and the honesty of social interaction.

Gill and George Peel, the current owners of No Place, standing in the same doorway photographed by Ravilious in his collection..

Please see also www.beaford-archive.org.uk and www.jamesravilious.com