Capsule offers the future a glimpse of the past

NEWSPAPER cuttings, a 19th century census and jubilee mugs were among the items buried in a time capsule in Alcester.

Pupils from St Nicholas and Our Lady's primary schools joined Stratford MP Nadhim Zahawi and Mayor Lennox Cumberbatch to bury the capsule on the former hospital site, which is the location for the new Alcester Primary Care Centre.

Roger Wilks, senior project manager of the care centre, said he organised the event to celebrate the town's history.

"I was born in Alcester myself and I thought it would be a great idea to commemorate the site which has been a solid part of the town's heritage and is soon to be part of its future," he said.

"It's something for the whole community and that's why I wanted the children to be involved and local groups such as the Alcester Historical Society and Friends of the Alcester Hospital."

The contents of the capsule include mementos from the London Olympics and Diamond Jubilee, along with an 1881 census of those from a workhouse which used to stand on the site.

"It gives us a chance to look back in time, whether it was a long time ago or recently. It celebrates all the things Alcester is proud of," Mr Wilks added.

The objects will be unearthed in 2063 and as a constant reminder of the burial, students may also have the opportunity to look after a set of keys to the container.

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