Making History at Ebury Bridge Estate

30/10/2024

Last week, Bouygues UK and Westminster City Council hosted a memorable event at the Ebury Bridge Estate to bury a time capsule within the grounds of the scheme.

This event marked the culmination of weeks of collaborative effort involving input from Bouygues UK, Westminster City Council, local residents, and students from St Barnabas’ CE Primary School. Together, they brought to life a project that captures the spirit, stories, and everyday life of the Ebury Bridge Estate and the surrounding area in 2024.

The Ebury Bridge estate regeneration project is one of Westminster City Council’s flagship developments, promising to transform the estate with 781 new, high-quality homes across a variety of tenures. As the estate moves towards a new chapter, this time capsule project offers an enduring connection between the past, present, and future of the Ebury Bridge community, through the vivid snapshot it created which will eventually be unearthed by future generations.

A Community-Driven Initiative

The time capsule was funded by the ‘Community Chest’, funds set aside to deliver local social value projects as part of Bouygues UK’s commitments. This initiative, led by Bouygues UK’s Social Value team and supported by Westminster City Council, sought to encapsulate a broad range of items and information that reflect life in 2024. The project can be considered as a tribute to the people of Ebury and the surrounding area, capturing their voices, activities, and aspirations for a future audience.

Jeff Joseph, Head of Social Value for London & South East at Bouygues UK said,

At Bouygues UK, we are immensely proud to be part of this unique event that captures the vibrant essence of the Ebury Bridge Estate and surrounding area in 2024. The contributions of creative writing, photographs, and reflections on both the past and the future are a testament to the remarkable spirit and creativity of the local community.

In partnership with Westminster City Council, our goal throughout the project has been to support and amplify the voices and aspirations of the local residents while delivering sustainable benefits for everyone who lives and works here. We hope that whoever may open this time capsule in the years to come, will have witnessed the lasting impact of this fantastic scheme.

The carefully curated contents of the capsule paint a rich picture of life at Ebury Bridge. It includes visual content such as community and architectural drawings, site plans, time-lapse videos, and even a miniature model of the estate. To provide historical context, there are photos, newspaper clippings, and old coins, offering a glimpse into the past for the future.

Local contributions add a personal touch through poems and reflective letters written by residents, drawings from St Barnabas’ students, and documentation of community events and sports, including the 2024 Euros. Magazines, case studies, and newsletters showcase the transformation of Ebury Bridge Estate, while insights into current leisure activities, cost of living, and social media trends offer a perspective on daily life in London during 2024.

The Celebration Event

The burial of the time capsule at Ebury Bridge Estate was an apt opportunity to celebrate the community’s resilience and creativity.

Local council members, including Cllr Noble and Cllr Begum, attended the event and emphasised the importance of the project in preserving the heritage and future vision of the estate. Jeff Joseph, Bouygues UK’s Head of Social Value for London & South East, also shared his enthusiasm for the project, particularly the role it has played in celebrating the unique identity of Ebury and its people.

Cllr Matt Noble, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Renters at Westminster City Council, said:

This ceremony marks the beginning of a new chapter for Ebury Bridge and its residents. Maintaining and nurturing the community is at the heart of the regeneration scheme, and this event has commemorated both past and present residents. In 50 years when the time capsule is discovered, we hope the essence of community at Ebury has grown even stronger.

Cllr Liza Begum, Cabinet Member for Housing Services at Westminster City Council said:

As we look towards the future, we are honouring the past through celebrating the history of the community. This is not only an exciting time for Westminster, but also for the residents of Ebury Bridge who are entering a new phase. The burial of time capsule has allowed us to capture and memorialise this moment.

Everyone present at the event took part in the burial, contributing by shovelling earth over it. The capsule has been placed approximately three feet deep, encased in cement, and topped with paving slabs and topsoil.

After the capsule was lowered, attendees celebrated with the cutting of a bespoke cake baked and decorated by a member of the Bouygues UK site team.

Future Rediscovery

The capsule, a polymer tube with aluminium end caps, is designed to last up to 100 years, ensuring that it will withstand the test of time. It’s planned to remain buried for 50 years, with the hope that the future generation might open it in 2075, either on a scheduled anniversary, as part of historical research, or even by accident during future development. To increase its chance of survival, the capsule’s location has been registered with the British Museum’s Anthology Department and Westminster Archives, ensuring it remains part of London’s historical record.

The team at Bouygues UK is proud to have been a part of this gift from one generation to the next. The event at Ebury Bridge marks an inspiring chapter in the community’s story. It is a powerful reminder of how communities evolve, adapt, and carry forward the memories and experiences of their residents.

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