Care home's time capsule about life in 2020 awaits future

A time capsule has been buried by Peterlee care home residents – providing messages on life in 2020 for a future generation.

Those living at Bannatyne Lodge Care Home, on Manor Way, wrote about their favourite experiences, films and songs, as well as their feelings on COVID-19. Alongside their cards, they also included CD covers from their favourite musicians including Tom Jones, Vera Lynn and Buddy Holly, and a VHS of 1970s sitcom Are You Being Served.

The time capsule was then decorated by the resi dent sand buried in the home’s garden to mark Older Persons Day. Evelyn Evans, 86, said: “I wrote that I loved my job working in a bank. I love working with money and still enjoy counting notes and coins.”

On the current visitation restrictions due to CO VID-19, fellow resident Derek Bestford, 57, said: “The activities are great here and stop me from feeling bored or missing my family too much.”

Dawn Min to, activities co-ordinator at Bannatyne Lodge Care Home, came up with the idea of a time capsule to mark Older Persons Day.

She said: “It’s been such an unusual year so, if we can put our thoughts and likes into a time capsule, in a couple of decades the next generation who find it will see that this generation overcame the hardships we have all faced. I am so proud of the residents for their lovely cards they made. They have all been forthcoming about the current situation and honest about how it has affected them.”

Ban na tyne Lodge Care Home is part of the Hill Care Group.