Dover Buries Time Capsule to Connect Generations
Local VIPs and competition winners gathered at the Maison Dieu to witness a time capsule being buried deep underground. This treasure trove is set to be unearthed by future generations, preserving a snapshot of life in Dover today.
Community Spirit Shines Through
The Friends of Dover Castle, Dover District Council, the Reawakening the Maison Dieu Project, and the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment and Queen’s Regiment Museum teamed up to unite the town and the castle. The Dover Community Time Capsule Project launched last September during Heritage Open Days, inviting local groups and societies to suggest items for the capsule.
From Art to History – Winning Entries Preserved
Dover Castle’s art and storytelling competitions produced winning entries now displayed at the Castle and sealed within the capsule. Events ran throughout spring and summer across local venues, encouraging all ages to propose objects to include.
Over 20 key items chosen from adults, teenagers, and children represent life in 2022. Highlights include:
- Official Platinum Jubilee photo of HM Queen Elizabeth II
- Platinum Jubilee Souvenir Book – 70 Glorious Years
- Queen’s Baton Relay flag
- DVD of the Queen’s Funeral
- Proclamation of King Charles III
- Photos of Dover and Dover Castle
- Newspapers documenting record summer heat
- Air quality reports
- Community club badges – ATC, police cadets, Rotary Club
- Fashion items including Nike Air trainers
- Ukrainian flag
- Covid tests
- Port of Dover Royal Charter
- DVD of Dover Film Festival
- Plans for Maison Dieu project
- Dover District Council’s Local Plan to 2040
- Fired clay dragon from Claydate 2022
Voices Behind the Capsule
“I wanted the Dover of 2022 to be remembered positively by people in 100 years’ time,” said Graham Hutchison, Chairman of Friends of Dover Castle. “We are a great town, a great district, and a great community. This project has brought us all together after the tough pandemic times.”
Deputy Leader of Dover District Council Cllr Oliver Richardson added, “This superb initiative means future generations will learn from this snapshot of our time. When history books remember us, part of us will live on through the time capsule.”
This capsule isn’t just a box underground – it’s a time-bomb of memories waiting to reconnect Dover’s future with its vibrant past.
