From Adrian Lane, Exeter 383262, April 16, 2007

HISTORIANS in Branscombe are to be presented with a record of newspaper coverage on the grounding of the MSC Napoli.

Councillor Margaret Rogers, Devon County Council Executive Member of Environment and Branscombe resident, will make the presentation to the Branscombe Project outside the village hall at 11:15am tomorrow. (Tuesday 17 April)

The Branscombe Project records the distant and recent past to share its findings with everyone at an exhibition every autumn. This year's subject is the Napoli shipwreck.

Councillor Rogers said: "The stranding of the MSC Napoli off the East Devon coast has been a difficult time for everyone in Branscombe and surrounding areas. But the events made international headline news and will be of historic significance in years to come. I'm glad that we're able to help contribute to the Branscombe's Project's exhibition in this way.

"I asked the communications section of Devon County Council to collect all the relevant news cuttings as I know, as someone whose subject is History, how valuable these primary sources are. They will, initially, be of great use to the Branscombe Project but will also be an invaluable source of information for those wishing to research the Napoli incident."

Since it was established by residents 13 years ago, the Branscombe Project group has tape-recorded people's recollections, delved into the archives and has been lent photographs and objects for its work.

Barbara Farquharson, Chair of the Branscombe Project, said: "An enormous amount of coverage has been given to the Napoli incident and that has given us a great deal of material to tap into. But what we've also done is to record the way the events have been seen by local people. It seems important to speak in depth to people and to find out what they really felt, what their fears and their hopes, were. The Napoli is still sitting there in the bay and we haven't forgotten about it."

The Branscombe Project will launch its fourth booklet, William Ford's Branscombe - from the diary of an eighteenth century farmer by John Torrance, after the last winter talk which starts at 7:30pm in the Village Hall on Monday 23 April.

Notes for Editors:

Media representatives are invited to a photo opportunity at Branscombe Village at 11:15am tomorrow (Tuesday 17 April) when Cllr Rogers will hand over the press coverage to the Branscombe Project.

Councillor Margaret Rogers 01297 680384.