1983 Time Capsule Discovery Evokes Family Recollections

The unearthing of a time capsule has not only generated excitement among those who discovered it but has also evoked cherished recollections for the family who interred it in 1983. Construction workers employed by Charlotte and Phil Betts, residing in Oulton Broad, Suffolk, unearthed a glass jar holding various objects, including a newspaper, faded photographs, coins, and an AA member’s card. Mrs Betts undertook to locate the family who had placed the time capsule within a wall of what was once a stable building, expressing her delight at establishing contact with the daughter of the man who had hidden it. Jackie Aarons, who assisted in compiling the contents of the time capsule, stated that its discovery had triggered delightful recollections of her father, Les Aarons, who passed away in 2021. An inscription on the reverse of one of the vintage photographs stated: “August 1982, renovation of old stables. Owner Leslie David Aarons shown here. Purchased ‘Woodlands’ April 1979. Wife Celia Anne, children David, Jane and Jacqueline.” According to Mrs Betts: “We moved into our home about a year ago and we currently have builders renovating a holiday let which used to be an old stables next to the house.” She added that the builders located the time capsule, prompting her decision to attempt to contact the family to inform them of its unearthing after being concealed for over four decades. Mrs Betts shared an account on social media, and earlier this week, she engaged in a telephone discussion with Jacqueline, who now goes by the name Jackie, to delve into the history of the time capsule. Ms Aarons, a resident near Loddon in Norfolk, stated: “My father decided he would make the old stables next to the house into a holiday let and he put the time capsule into one of the walls.” She continued: “I wondered if it would ever get uncovered in my lifetime and it’s amazing it has been after 40 or so years. “It’s brought back some great memories but it’s particularly lovely to see my dad’s handwriting as he is now sadly no longer with us. It’s also reminded me of the time we had at the house because it was really enjoyable growing up there.” Mrs Betts commented: “Who would have thought that just doing up a holiday let would open up this big network of people and all this interesting information? “It’s also made them them happy as well because they thought it would never be dug up so it’s been amazing.” Mr Betts noted: “To bring everything up to modern standards we decided to renovate the holiday let and the builders found the time capsule when they were digging up the floor in the bathroom.” Upon reviewing the newspaper, it appeared that the cost of most residences during that period typically fell between approximately £15,000 and £30,000, a sum considered very inexpensive by current standards. Furthermore, the newspaper provided details on the week’s leading chart successes, identifying You Can’t Hurry Love by Phil Collins as the top track, Best Years of Our Lives by Modern Romance in the second position, and Heartache Avenue by The Maisonettes securing third place. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.