Exhibition tells story of when Ilfracombe hotel became home to asylum seekers

The months when a former seaside hotel in Ilfracombe became home to around 100 asylum seekers is the focus of a new exhibition at the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon in Barnstaple.

For A Time: Sanctuary Seekers in North Devon uses photographs and words to tell the story between November 2022 and summer 2023, when the Dilkhusa Grand Hotel was used as part of a Home Office initiative to support people seeking asylum in the UK.

The exhibition has been co-curated with North Devon-based charity The Pickwell Foundation and it opened at the museum in Barnstaple on October 24. A special evening event to celebrate the opening will take place on Friday, November 13 from 5pm to 7pm.

UK-based photographer Toby Adamson, whose photographs feature in the exhibition and Captain Mark Read from The Salvation Army, whose words accompany the photographs, were among those who gave their time to support The Pickwell Foundation as it worked to help the new arrivals.

The move sparked heated local debate, as the asylum seekers, many from the overcrowded Manston Immigration Centre in Kent, were bussed in overnight by the Home Office without telling either North Devon Council or the then MP Selaine Saxby.

While there was objection from some in the town, many also welcomed the new arrivals and dozens of people turned out for a peaceful demonstration of support opposite the hotel.

Meanwhile, North Devon Council, in partnership with The Pickwell Foundation, worked with the community and those seeking asylum, building connections, providing support and creating opportunities for people to meet and share experiences.

Many local organisations, groups and individuals got involved, offering their time, space and resources to support the Foundation’s work.

Photographer Toby Adamson draws on years of experience documenting events and stories in more than 90 countries around the world.

His exhibition photographs tell some of the more personal stories of those seeking sanctuary at that time in Ilfracombe, alongside the many acts of welcome and kindness shown by the local community.

Anita Nathwani, assistant curator at the museum, said: “For A Time is a powerful reminder of how community and human connection can cross cultural and language divides.

“It’s been a privilege to work alongside The Pickwell Foundation to tell this locally rooted story in our Community Gallery. This temporary exhibition space is dedicated to sharing the community experiences that help shape our history.

“It feels particularly fitting the exhibition coincides with The Peopling of North Devon, another exhibition currently showing at the museum, which explores the migration stories that have shaped our area over generations.”

Nicola Jenner from The Pickwell Foundation added: “This collection of photographs captured what happens when a community chooses welcome.

“At a time of rising hostility, this exhibition reminds us that when people come together to support those seeking sanctuary, the impact is profound for everyone involved. It also points to how community-led resettlement can work in future, with people seeking safety contributing richly to their new local communities.

“Local groups, businesses and individuals gave their time, space and friendship. The people seeking sanctuary built connections and took part in local life.

“We are proud to share these photographs and we hope they spark curious and courageous conversations about how this experience shaped our policy work, how we support people both locally in North Devon and nationally through Community Sponsorship and how members of the public can get involved.”

The exhibition runs until January 2, 2027 and entry to the museum is free.