A Covid-19 test kit and a Tesco receipt are just some of the items schoolchildren have selected to be buried in a time capsule in Oldham’s Old Library.
Schoolchildren have added their own piece of history to the historic building on Union Street by concealing a time capsule containing culturally significant items that convey what life is like in 2022 for future generations to discover.
Year 5 pupils from Knowsley Junior School, Springhead, learned a time capsule had been buried in Tommyfield Market Hall in 1904.
The capsule only came to light 70 years later as a result of a fire.
The group examined records to trace the people who had hidden the artefact and set about filling their own which was donated by Tilbury Douglas, a building company which is renovating the building.
The time capsule contains some interesting items to convey what life is like in 2022
Their capsule contains self-portraits, a poem about Oldham in 2022, a list of their names, a Covid-19 test kit, a Tesco till receipt, a school badge and a copy of a local newspaper.
The capsule will be preserved for years to come as work on the Old Library to bring it back into public use is underway.
Originally built in 1883, the library went through a period of rapid transformation to accommodate the growing town.
However, it was ultimately closed to the public in 2017 – but the Council is working on bringing the Grade II listed building back to life as part of the town’s major regeneration project.
Work will begin on the Old Library’s exterior to preserve the building and prevent any other deterioration.
A new roof will reinstate its original 19th-century design and the external stonework will be cleaned with specialist treatment.
Phil Shaw, Divisional Director, Tilbury Douglas, said: “It’s been a pleasure to welcome the students to the site for them to witness the transformation of the Old Library.
“The project is significant for Oldham and because of the building’s heritage, it’s entirely fitting that we bury a time capsule to celebrate.”
Cllr Amanda Chadderton, Leader of Oldham Council, said: “We are really pleased that work on the Old Library is well underway and it’s good that pupils who will hopefully visit when the work is complete, have been able to come and along and get involved in what we are doing.
“Burying a time capsule is a great way for the children to remember their visit and is something they can possibly tell their children about in years to come.”