Furbies and road safety: 1998 time capsule found

A time capsule from 1998 containing Furbies, Yo-Yos, letters from primary school children and road safety advice has been uncovered during roadworks.

The box of mementoes was dug up in Halifax town centre during completion of roadworks at Bull Green roundabout, by workers contracted by Calderdale Council.

The capsule was buried with the intention it would be dug up in 50 years' time, but was disturbed halfway through its "gestation", said Sarah Courtney, council cabinet member for regeneration and transport.

"It made me think about what Halifax is like now, and how can we make it better," said Courtney.

The capsule contained photos of the Bull Green roundabout from 1998, along with planning documents and maps relating to development of the area.

Children from Salterhebble Junior School, Whitehill Community Academy and Ling Bob Junior School had donated toys and written letters which were also placed inside the metal box, and subsequently buried.

Courtney said it was interesting to observe the parallels between the council ambitions in 1998, and now.

"At the time they were building a new roundabout, they were wanting to make the town run better and look better - which is much what we're wanting to do now," she said.

"When we're doing regeneration projects, we're not just thinking about what it's like now but what it's going to be like in 10, 15, 25 years' time.

She added: "It was interesting reading people saying: 'I wonder what it will be like in 50 years' time', and I hope the Halifax Building Society building and The Piece Hall will still be here'

"It's interesting they had an idea on regeneration and the future, and that's what we're doing now."

The council plans to display the items found in the capsule as part of a temporary exhibition in Halifax this spring, before the container is reburied with additional items, for a further 25 years.

Courtney said those items added to the capsule would tell stories about what the hopes of the people of Halifax today, for their future.

"It would be good to have our vision document - of our vision for 2034 - then they can look back at that and see if we achieved the things we were hoping to.

She said it would also be interesting to include "some of our aspirations around reducing carbon emissions and encouraging people to be healthier and have more active lifestyles".

"It will be interesting to say this is what we're trying to achieve, and then people can look back and see we were trying to make Halifax better."

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.