Time capsule project to store bridge memories
20 Apr 2021 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news
Special time capsules are to be buried at each end of the world-famous Union Chain Bridge to mark the completion of the restoration process.
The project aims to capture people’s memories of the bridge and once buried, will be unearthed in 120 years’ time to give future generations an intriguing insight into what life was like in the area in 2021.
The project announcement comes at a symbolic stage of the restoration of the famous Union Chain Bridge – as the physical connection between England and Scotland has recently been cut at the site for the first time in centuries.
Since its opening in 1820, the bridge, near Horncliffe on the English side, united communities on both sides of the border and has been a key crossing and striking landmark ever since.
Matt Storey from Museums Northumberland explained: “This is a really exciting part of this whole scheme and something I’m sure will attract a lot of interest.
“Local residents of all ages will be invited to develop and decide on the material to be included in the capsules – one for each side of the border. The main themes for the contents of the time capsule will be people’s memories of the bridge and why it is important to them, information about the community and what it’s like to live in 2021, documents about the bridge work and submissions from partner schools.
"Some bridge memories have already been collected during the bicentenary celebrations and we seek to continue this - with people’s memories recorded on postcards for inclusion in the time capsules.”
The plan is for the capsules to be opened in 120 years – the projected future lifespan of the structure before it needs to be repaired again.
Matt added: “The bridge is a much-loved local landmark so we want to make sure that the community play an important role in determining the content of the time capsules.
In September 2019 plans to fully restore the bridge received £3.14million from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
This followed an ambitious funding bid put together by Northumberland County Council, Scottish Borders Council, Museums Northumberland and community group Friends of the Union Chain Bridge, after serious concerns about the condition of the world-famous structure.
Both councils committed funding totalling £5.7m towards the £10.5m scheme, with ongoing fundraising activities by the Friends of Union Chain Bridge in support of the project.
David Renwick, Director for the North of England, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We’re very proud of the way in which this project is embracing the strong community links with the Union Chain Bridge.
“The contents of the time capsules will give a real insight into life at this point in the Bridge’s history and the vital restoration work will ensure that this cherished local landmark is still providing a physical connection between the communities on both sides of the river in 120 years’ time.”
Full restoration of the structure got underway last October and the painstaking work to refurbish the bridge and ultimately to reinstate it is now underway. It is due to re-open early next year.
The time capsules will be buried during the final stages of the conservation, marking this significant period in the bridge’s history.
For more information on the project and how to submit memories or object suggestions go to www.unionchainbridge.org/get-involved/time-capsules/
People can also get in touch via ucb@museumsnorthumberland.org.uk, via Berwick Museum and Art Gallery social media pages, or they can write to Berwick Museum and Art Gallery, The Clock Block, Ravensdowne Barracks, The Parade, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, TD15 1DG.