VIEWS are being sought from South Craven people about the future of the county’s archive.

The facility provides a unique insight into 800-plus years of North Yorkshire’s history.

But the county record office which currently houses the documents will have to be given a complete overhaul if it is to continue to provide a secure base for the archive.

And as part of a public consultation, North Yorkshire County Council’s archives service wants to hear from as many people as possible.

“This is an opportunity to look at how we might deliver the service in the future and before any decision is taken we want to hear from people – whether or not they currently use the archives,” said a spokesman.

“We will invite views from local heritage groups but we also want input from as wide a cross-section of the public as possible.

“Whether or not you currently use the archives and even if you’re unfamiliar with the work, we would still like to hear from you.

“The service is also keen to take advantage of opportunities offered by improved broadband coverage across the county to allow online access to its unique collections.

“We want to know what current users and non-users would like to see from a digital-age record office.

“We’re also keen to learn from our many dedicated, enthusiastic heritage groups and volunteers how the service can better support them.”

The consultation asks people a range of questions, such as why they do or don’t visit the archives, what would make them visit, what activities they would be interested in taking part in or providing, and their views on establishing record office centres in some libraries and other venues.

County Councillor Greg White, executive member for the archives service, echoes the plea for people to take part.

“I want to ensure that the county council is providing the best possible place to preserve our unique and historic collection for use by generations to come,” he said.

“While the archive houses many rare or irreplaceable documents, it is not solely about these.

“It is a living thing, collecting and archiving today’s records – whatever the format or medium in which they are created – so that future generations will have the same opportunities we have to study their past.

“That’s why we need as many people as possible to participate in this consultation and to let us know what they would like to see from the record office in the future.

“We’d particularly like to know what types of activity people would be interested in becoming involved in.”

The survey is open to any individual or group interested in the county’s archival heritage.

People can take part online at northyorks.gov.uk/recordofficesurvey.

Alternatively, paper copies can be obtained from the County Record Office, Malpas Road, Northallerton DL7 8TB or by calling 01609 777585.

The closing date for completed questionnaires is Monday, June 4.

The county record office is home to documents dating from the 12th century to the present day, stored on over five miles of shelving.

Most of the collections are freely accessible.

They include records from nearly 300 parishes, more than 40 urban and rural district councils established under the 1894 Local Government Act, courts and North Riding of Yorkshire Quarter Sessions dating from the 16th century onwards and 24 different Poor Law Unions.

There are also historic maps and plans.