Building work unearths Wakefield time capsule

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Building work unearths Wakefield time capsule

Oct 13, 2008

By Stuart Robinson

A GLASS time capsule over a century old was uncovered by workers building a new health centre in Wakefield.

Demolition contractors working on the new Ossett Health Village made the find as they carried out works on the site.

Now it is hoped future generations might make a similar discovery by finding a new time capsule which will be buried at the development.
The health village is being built on the site of a former disused carpet factory.

The capsule was discovered beneath the firm's old chapel, which was part of the site, and had been buried there during construction in 1897.

Project bosses were unaware that the capsule had been buried there but despite work going on, the artefact was uncovered intact except for some rusting to the lid.

Inside, workers found an old newspaper from 1897 and information about the chapel, including a treasurer's report on the cost of building the chapel and also some narration on how it came to be built.

Darren Oxley, development manager at contractors Oakapple Primary Care Developments Limited, said: "This was an incredibly lucky find and I think the person that found it was very surprised to discover what it was. The contents are in very good condition considering their age."

It is now proposed that a new time capsule be buried for future generations to discover beneath the old capsule, which is to be put on display in the atrium of the new Ossett Health Village.

Gill Galdins, NHS Wakefield District's Interim Director of Operations, said: "People are always very interested in time capsules, so I think it will make a great centre-piece for this fantastic new health facility.

"The actual contents don't have significant historical or financial value, but it is fascinating to see what people in the 1890s thought we would be interested in.
Source: Yorkshire Evening Post

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