AN exciting new initiative which takes a closer look at how Okehampton has developed in the last 100 years will encourage residents to learn about the town's history and the changes which have taken place there.

The Okehampton Community Archive (OCA) has been put together by members of Okehampton Town Council. They have started a working group to collect and research the town's history.

The aim is to establish an archive that belongs to the people of Okehampton.

Chairman of the working group Cllr Michael Ireland said members were excited about the project, but stressed it was still in its early stages.

He said: 'It's important to mention that this is an archive research group and it is complementing the work of the Museum of Dartmoor Life and local history groups.

'We are looking for information of Okehampton's history to chart the rapid changes of the town in the 20th century and the early 21st century.

'Some of the areas we will cover for past information will be photography and film in the town and written sources such as diaries, letters and postcards.

'We will also be collecting life histories, so we will be speaking and interviewing previous shop assistants and owners about their memories.'

Cllr Ireland said the group will not be limiting their information sources: 'We are not just looking for older people with information, we also want to know what change means to young people and for those who have just moved to Okehampton — what do they see that's changed for them since they've been here?'

Cllr Ireland said an OCA meeting last month looked at how the 20th century had changed.

He said: 'We looked at how the 20th century has seen the transformation of Okehampton from an agricultural centre and market town, to a service and minor commercial centre.

'We also looked at the changes from a rural town to one which has become more urbanised.'

The group hopes to document the changes and raise awareness of this period of change.

Cllr Ireland said they hope, as the collection grows, it would benefit students and teachers from Okehampton College and primary school, as well as academic researchers and residents.

He said: 'The OCA attracts a high amount of interest in the town.

'We want people not to throw out their rubbish — what's rubbish to them, is important information to us.'

Member of the working group county, town and borough Cllr Christine Marsh, said she looked forward to seeing people's input.

She said: 'The archive is open to everybody and it will be nice to see local people who were born here and also outsiders who have moved, all taking an equal interest in the project.

'We recognise that the 20th century history was disappearing and it's important we keep the memory of those still alive.

'We eventually hope to open archive days, where people can come and share their archives with each other.

'It is all very new and we are judging the interest in it and collecting everything, then perhaps we will look for an affordable premises.'