Contractors demolishing a building in Sandown have made a historic discovery by uncovering a time capsule that is thought to have been buried since the late 1800s.
Harrison Contractors Ltd, which specialises in reclamation, demolition, and asbestos removal, has been demolishing the former Margaret’s Snooker Hall building in Sandown’s Leed Street.
During the work, those on-site uncovered a surprise addition whilst excavating an area of the building – a glass jar crammed full of copies of the Isle of Wight Chronicle dating back to 1872.
J.Duff & Son’s bathing machine proprietors, G. Brown the Pharmaceutical Chemist, and Geo Pelley’s post horse service are just some of the businesses listed in the trade announcements within the paper – with the price per copy listed at three-halfpence.
The large jar was found contained in a neat square hole measuring approx 1foot by 1foot within the concreted ground.
Harrison Contractors say they are currently looking after the time capsule with the hopes of finding it a permanent new home where it can be enjoyed by those interested in the town’s history.
One ad reads “Instruction in SWIMMING given to Ladies and Gentlemen”
Gentlemen at 8am and Ladies at 1pm
Politeness buried in time. Great find.
How lovely. A great find. Well done to the demolition team for saving it.
Such a great find, and the young lady who works at Ryde demo, such a charming, delightful and helpful person. Well spotted and saved.
The Sandown Historic Association would be the best people to give this amazing find to. They already keep a fantastic archive of newspapers at Sandown Library and the time capsule could be displayed there for everyone to see.
How lovely .. some good news for a change!
Wow this is amazing what a lovely find