Historian’s Coronation time capsule given go ahead from Thatcham Town Council

Funding has been granted for a time capsule project in Thatcham.

The capsule will mark the end of Queen Elizabeth's reign.

The physical capsule is hoped to be buried somewhere central to the town, such as the dementia garden by the town council office or in the Broadway.

The capsule is the brainchild of local historian Dr Nick Young.

He and Nathan Gregory – of the heritage working party – requested a grant of up to £1,000 from the town council for the project.

The council's finance and general purposes committee unanimously approved the spend, which will come from its 2023/24 budget for the Freedom of the Town funding – an event that is no longer taking place.

Anyone can be involved in putting items and material forward for the capsule and the heritage working party has already begun suggesting community groups and ideas for what could be included.

There are three main areas for material to be buried in the capsule.

The first is memories and recollection of the 1953 Coronation.

The second is how the town and its people marked the 2023 coronation.

The third is what volunteering was undertaken as a part of The Big Help Out and how this will continue to benefit the town.

The preference would be to have this on physical media rather than digital media, which the heritage party says will add additional complexity and cost.

It has been suggested that the capsule remains buried until either the 100th anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II or the next coronation – whenever that may be.

Items, once excavated, would be placed on display and made available for the community to see and access.

The working party chairman Mr Gregory said: "When looking back at the 1953 celebrations in Thatcham there was little evidence to be found.

“We want to make sure the generation has a good record of 2023 and hopefully we can include some real gems.

“It is very much to be the people capsule and we seek memories from all the people of Thatcham to be included whether it be with your school, a local group like Scouting or the Women’s Institute, you may be having a street party with your neighbors or congregation. Whatever it is we want to know about it.

“With the bank holiday Monday being designated as The Big Help out we would love to know how the town mobilised to give back.”

Mayor of Thatcham Jeff Brooks said: “Over the last year I been working with the community on the Queen's Legacy Tableau, comprised of 45 scenes and unveiled on May 14.

“It marks 15 events of the late Queen’s life, 15 British events and 15 events of the world over the last 70 years.

“The coronation time capsule I launch today will be the history of tomorrow."

The deadline for submitting material is July 21 – items can be delivered to the town council offices.