During renovations on their new home, a family was astonished to find a heartwarming time capsule from 1969 hidden behind the fireplace.
Scott Bevan, age 42, discovered the precious objects concealed in the walls when his sister Deborah Phillips, age 51, moved into a Birmingham home earlier this month.
They included a black-and-white portrait, newspapers, and a touching message from the previous owners wishing her “good fortune and happiness” in her new residence.
After removing the fireplace, Scott discovered a mysterious package stashed in the wall hollow and wrapped in plastic.
It contained 1969 and 1988 issues of the Birmingham Evening Mail as well as a photograph of the former owners, Ethel Wright.
And fifteen minutes later, Scott uncovered a second capsule from 1988 in a column on the opposite side of the fireplace, which had the heartfelt note.
To whom it may concern. We wish you an abundance of happiness and success in your new house. We moved in at the end of May 1967, when the house was brand-new, and have found contentment and safety within its four walls.
“We hope that you enjoy the home and garden as much as we have.
‘The first fireplace was built in 1969, and this one in August 1988, but I assume you will want to make significant changes when you come, therefore you will likely discover this notice.
“Best of luck, regards, Ethel and Harold Wright”
Scott, a metal detectorist from Castle Vale, Birmingham, stated, “I just think it’s a selfless and nice thing to do, and that’s what the world is lacking at the moment – caring about others.”
“Debbie purchased the house about two weeks ago, but it had been vacant for four years before she moved in, so it required a considerable amount of work.
I adore uncovering objects that have been misplaced or preserved.
As I removed the fireplace’s bricks, I saw some loose bricks and a hollow filled with a plastic bag with detritus; I had a feeling it would be a valuable find.
Once I extracted it, I realized it had something of tremendous sentimental value, and playfully asked my sister, “Is there another one on the other side?”
The pair must have reburied the original capsule from the 1960s and added a second capsule in 1988.
The card, which had heartfelt comments, moved my sister to tears.
The message was followed by a tribute from their sons, Paul and Martin, and their respective wives and sweethearts, Jenny and Beverley.
Scott stated that his sister was particularly impacted by the comments because she had had “difficult times” in recent years.
After experiencing a brain aneurysm several years ago, Deborah moved into the house to be closer to her family.
Scott continued, ‘She has high hopes that this move, to the same city as our mother, sister, and brother, will usher in a new and better chapter in her life.
I hope that Debbie finds the same happiness, satisfaction, and safety that the previous owners of the home did.
The first newspaper is dated April 1969, two years after the family moved into their brand-new Castle Vale home on Croy Drive.
The top page news includes articles about wage protests at the Longbridge factory, a hunger strike at Winson Green Prison, and an explosion at a coal mine in Mexico.
The second newspaper, published in August 1988 and costing 18 pence, is a 12-page special on the impending Birmingham Super Prix.
The black-and-white photograph depicts a portrait of Ethel wearing a hat, suit, and tie.
Scott continued, ‘It’s amusing that the couple anticipated that the fireplace would be the first to be removed.
It was a standard fireplace from the 1980s. Since I am sentimental, I initially disliked demolishing the structure.
It was an honor to have been the one to discover them.
I suggested to my sister that she make her mark in a similar manner.
Scott initially published the photographs on Twitter and confessed he was “quite startled” by the viral nature of his post.
He said, “I was unable to keep up with the remarks.”
I believe there is a great deal of negative news at the time, and such a selfless deed makes people happy, which is exactly what we all need.
Now, the photograph of Ethel will be returned to her son Paul, who told Scott he had no idea the time capsules were in the house.