During renovations on their new home, a family was astounded to find a touching time capsule from 1969 hidden behind a fireplace.
After Deborah Phillips, his 51-year-old sister, moved into a house in Birmingham earlier this month, Scott Bevan, 42, discovered the precious things hidden in the walls.
Newspapers, a touching message from the former owners wishing her “success and happiness” in her new home, a black-and-white portrait, and other items were also there.
After taking out the fireplace, Scott uncovered a mysterious box hidden in the wall cavity that was wrapped in a plastic bag. This lead him to make the amazing discovery.
It included an old copy of the Birmingham Evening Mail from 1969 and a picture of the former owner, Ethel Wright, in black and white.
A second capsule from 1988 with the same inscription was found by Scott 15 minutes later in a column on the opposite side of the fireplace.
To whoever it may concern, it said. We hope your new house brings you much pleasure and success.
We moved here at the end of May 1967, when it had just been constructed, and behind these four walls we have found security and happiness.
We really hope you love the home and garden as much as we have.
The first fireplace was constructed in 1969, and this one was erected in August 1988. However, I expect that when you come, you’ll want to make significant changes, so it’s likely that you’ll discover this message.
“Best wishes,” said Ethel and Harold Wright.
‘I just think it’s a selfless and lovely thing to do, and that is what is missing from the world right now,’ said Scott, a metal detectorist from Castle Vale, Birmingham.
Debbie purchased the home about two weeks ago, but it required some work because it had lain empty for four years.
“I like finding items that have been hidden or preserved.”
I had a feeling it was going to be a wonderful discovery when I was taking the bricks out of the fireplace because I saw several loose ones and a hollow filled with a garbage bag coated in trash beneath.
I playfully said to my sister, “I wonder if there’s another one on the other side,” until I realised it contained something of significant emotional value.
The initial capsule from the 1960s must have been reburied in one column, and a second capsule from 1988 was added.
The card, which had some beautiful sentiments, “made my sister pretty emotional.”
Another dedication from their sons Paul and Martin—”and their respective spouses and sweethearts, Jenny and Beverley”—was included underneath the statement.
After going through a “difficult period” over the last three years, Scott claimed his sister had been especially touched by the remarks.
Deborah moved into the home to be nearer to family after having a brain aneurysm a number of years ago.
She is truly hopeful that this move—where our mother, sister, and brother all reside—will usher in a new and better chapter in her life, Scott said.
“Hopefully Debbie finds the pleasure, satisfaction, and security via the home that the previous owners also found.”
Two years after the family moved into their brand-new home on Croy Drive in Castle Vale, the first newspaper is dated April 1969.
The top page news has reports on a coal mine explosion in Mexico, a hunger strike at Winson Green Prison, and wage protests at the Longbridge plant.
The second newspaper, published August 1988, costs 18 pence and has a 12-page special on the impending Birmingham Super Prix.
The sepia image depicts a photograph of Ethel, who is well attired with a hat, suit, and tie.
It’s interesting that the couple knew the fireplace would be the first item to go, Scott continued.
It was a standard fireplace from the 1980s. Since I tend to be quite sentimental, I have to admit that I didn’t particularly enjoy tearing it down in the first place.
‘I think it was an amazing thing that this wonderful couple had the foresight to do – it meant everything to Debbie and it was an honour to have been the one to find them.
‘I said to my sister maybe she should do the same thing to leave her mark.’
Scott originally shared the photos on Twitter and admitted he was ‘very surprised’ at how his post went viral.
He added: ‘I couldn’t keep up with all the comments.
‘I think there is a lot of bad news at the moment, and such a selfless act makes people smile – and it’s what we all need at the moment.’
Ethel’s photo will now be handed back to her son Paul who told Scott he had no idea the time capsules were even in the house.