As the general consensus seems to be 'This is OK', here it is:
Accesing The Times online, free!1. Join Bedfordshire LibrariesGo to:
http://www.galaxy.bedfordshire.gov.uk/Click the '
Join Now' link and follow instructions.
I don't know if membership is retricted by postcode. I live in Bucks which is neighboring Beds so I may be privileged.
I have already been through this and so can't go through it again to list the steps. If someone would like to fill this gap in I would welcome an insertion here.
Please note this comment from later discussion:
... I clicked on the Bedfordshire Virtual Library, filled the form and left the "pick up" part blank. You only need to fill this in if you want a real library card. I also think there was a little button to select what kind of "membership" you wanted.
At the end of the process you will receive an e-mail containing a 'Library Card Number' and a PIN.
2. Go to Times OnlineGo To:
http://www.galaxy.bedfordshire.gov.uk/Log On if required.
Near the bottom left of the page, click on '
Bedfordshire Virtual Library'.
On the left side, hover over 'Information and Reference' and select '
Newspapers Online'.
Click on the '
The Times' logo.
Fill in your Library Card Number and Pin that you got in your e-mail and click
Go.
Locate 'Go To: "Newspapers"' and note the current password just below.
Click on the "
Newspapers" link.
Enter the password you noted.
Click on the '
The Times Digital Archive' link near the bottom.
You're there!
You can now save a link to this location and get there in one click so long as you allow cookies.
NB: From time to time, the password changes. To get hold of the new password go through stage 2 again from the beginning.
One small hint for newbies here: Use 'AND/OR/NOT' between each word you want to find. It does not assume 'AND' like Google, it looks for the whole phrase you typed if you don't use these keywords.
Paul
