MELKSHAM pupils buried a time capsule at the site full of memories and artifacts at Melksham Community Campus.
Amidst the whirring sounds of construction children from the local primary schools, staff from building company Pellikaan, council staff and journalists gathered to bury a small piece Wiltshire history.
Kids from Aloeric Primary School and and Bowerhill Primary school wrote, drew and collected letters, poems, pictures, a decorative face covering to be enclosed under the earth by the soon to be completed Melksham Community Campus.
Other items such as unused lateral flow tests, copies of local newspapers and a cover letter also made it into the repurposed PVC pipe capsule.
It is intended that people will not uncover the capsule until 2051 where the Covid specific items might provide a glimpse into the pandemic years in Wiltshire.
READ MORE: Consultation begins to help shape town’s roads for future generations
Year 6 Bowerhill pupil Archie said: “It’s quite fun because I can actually be a part of some builds and the community.”
Georgie Coombs, a pupil from Aloeric Primary School, said: “It’s amazing to bury the time capsule. We took two days to put art together and we’re very proud.”
Another Bowerhill pupil, Drew Fletcher said “We did some writing on how we got through 2020. We are very happy and very proud to be chosen to be involved.”
Melksham councillor and cabinet member for strategic assets, Phil Alford said: “Knowing that it's going to be here and open next year ready for everyone to use is brilliant.”
Cllr Alford said it would be exciting for people in 2051 to dig up the time capsule.
READ MORE: Covid test van hits the road
“I’ll be a little bit older obviously but it will be exciting. A lot of these children will have children by then and maybe their own kids will be lifting it out of the ground and seeing what life was like 30 year ago,” he added.
The pupils were first introduced to the £23m project by the cabinet member for leisure, Ian Blair-Pilling who said the site was the first of its kind in Wiltshire.
Cllr Blair-Pilling said: “The kids really enjoyed it I think and it's an important little ceremony.”
When asked how people in 2051 will react to the contents of the time capsule, the cabinet member said: “It will be interesting because, let’s face it, we’ve had interesting times for the last 20 months or so.
“I didn’t get a chance to read the letters but I imagine they encapsulate what’s been going on – it will be fascinating.”
READ MORE: Plans for a home extension refused
The campus project itself has been in the works since 2010 but has seen plans changed and a delay brought about by the pandemic.
The campus, which is being constructed by Pellikaan Construction and is slated to open by Autumn 2022.
Sport England has supported the build which is set to offer a wide range of facilities and services under one roof, including a gym, cycle and fitness studios, 25m pool and learner pool, sports hall, library, café and meeting space for the community.
Cllr Blair-Pilling added that the community had a lot to look forward to in 2022.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here