Skip to content

Time capsule from 1876 unearthed at Clitheroe primary school

SUE TAYLOR Time capsuleSUE TAYLOR
Ten coins and a rolled-up newspaper from 1876 were discovered

A 145-year-old time capsule, containing ten coins and a rolled-up newspaper, has been discovered in the foundations of a primary school.

The glass jar was found "by complete accident" while workers renovated the chapel at Barrow URC Primary School in Clitheroe, Lancashire, built in 1876.

The artefact had been placed inside one of the chapel's foundation stones.

Head teacher Sue Taylor said the "incredible find" had brought "history of the school alive for the children."

'Sparked interest'

"It was obvious it was a time capsule when I picked it up. I could hear the coins jangling at the bottom," she said.

A conservation team is now examining the time capsule and will unroll the newspaper and research the coins' history.

Barrow U.R.C. Primary School Time capsuleBarrow U.R.C. Primary School
The glass jar and its contents have been sent away to a conservation team

Building work was carried out at the school, which is believed to be the only United Reformed Church (URC) school in the world, in April.

The demolition team lifted up the foundation stones in the chapel and found the glass jar.

SUE TAYLOR Time capsuleSUE TAYLOR
The time capsule was laid into a foundation stone of the school's chapel

During the first coronavirus lockdown some of the school children buried a time capsule from 2020.

Ms Taylor said finding this 1876 time capsule meant "history has come full circle".

"It was found by complete accident," she said, adding: "It's so interesting and has sparked so much interest for the children."

Presentational grey line

Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to [email protected]