Children make their mark on time in Hailsham

Home news

Feb 08, 2013

Children at White House Primary School left their mark on the history of Hailsham when they named the units at Care UK’s latest care home and buried a time capsule there.

Pupils took part in a competition to name the units at Bowes House, the town’s newest nursing home, set to be opened in May. Care UK also invited the school to put together a time capsule which they buried at the site of the new home in Battle Road.

Head Teacher Heather Baldwin said: "I was very impressed at how carefully the children had thought about what would no longer be in use in 50 years’ time. We put in a book and pencil, as the children decided everyone would use tablet computers in future, information about various events that had occurred at White House Primary School, an autograph book with everyone's signature including finger prints of reception children, a mobile phone, and a picture of the view from our playground.”

This is the second time capsule adventure at the home. During work on the site, a 1960s time capsule was uncovered and the children from the school became time detectives.

The capsule contained a copy of the Financial Times dated 10th September 1964, with the headline ‘British Satellite Launch on the Way’, a copy of the Sussex Express and County Herald, with news of a barbeque event at Pevensey Beach, a trip for older people to Littlehampton provided by the Cross in Hand Choral Society and lots of local weddings.

The home’s name, Bowes House, was also chosen after the time capsule was unearthed and a piece of headed paper containing the name was discovered inside.

Bowes House will offer personalised nursing, residential and respite care for older people, with specialist support for those living with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.

The winning names chosen by the youngsters were: ‘Aylsham Lodge’, in recognition of Hailsham’s former name, chosen by Dale Jenner, ‘Weald Lodge’, chosen by Stephanie Hill in reference to the district Hailsham is in. ‘Meadow View’, chosen by Rosie Rimmer to reference that there used to be a meadow opposite the site of the home and ‘Barley’, in recognition of the region’s agricultural history, chosen by Tori Cruden.