Studley Time capsule

A STUDLEY TIME CAPSULE

From time to time we hear of this or that public building which, during its refurbishment, extension or demolition even, has yielded up its secrets from the past in the form of a tine capsule. Sometimes, even a humble dwelling house has produced some startling artefact which had lain hidden and unsuspected over the years. Many buildings conceal time capsules whose contents are widely known and can fade from memory only with the passing of time. Often, small finds of no value but great curiosity are discovered by accident and were lost in the same way:-- for who has not rummaged in his attic and found an old newspaper, a strange coin or a bill-of-sale and not been diverted from his task to read, discuss or display, usually to the annoyance of an impatient spouse

A Studley travel agent, extending his premises to cope with a seemingly endless Studley demand for more and more foreign holidays (ten days in Majorca, Zagreb or the Fjords must be more attractive than the view of or from Gorcott Hill, Ragley, Stratford or Warwick.') has played host to just such a collection of diverting ephemera. It contained a Thompson Directory, a copy of the 'Redditch Advertiser? ('Alcester Chronicle'), a parish magazine, Mappleborough Green Residents Association newsletter, Studley's 'Parish Appraisal', a Lions' bonfire poster Studley Official Guide, Studley and Mappleborough Graveyard Inscriptions and, of course, an Autumn 1989 copy of 'Local Past'. A hurriedly-assembled collection which might have been more varied given more time in which to deliberate but perhaps less exciting for its eventual finder.

A locally well-publicised event as it was, it will quickly fade from the memories of most of us, to become a half-forgotten story which we once half-heard -- much like some of the tales our readers hear and research. One day, with fast-beating heart, an excited builder, or handymen, or electrician, or local historian, or burglar, will , in its discovery, provide yet another scoop for some future edition of our 'Local Past', Remember tell your grandchildren - you saw it in here first

Spring 1990 Index