Time Capsule

Press Release - 12th September 2005

Time capsule is buried to mark start of construction work on Easington’s new £650,000 Community Hall

Hundreds of years from today Easington residents will unearth a time capsule full of information about the year 2005 and the Langeled Project – what was then the world’s longest gas pipeline. Featuring press cuttings, photographs, leaflets and videos about the project the time capsule will also reveal what Norwegian schoolchildren thought about their new neighbours in Easington, as it includes letters and drawings from children at the other end of the pipeline in Aukra Norway.

Local residents have also been passionate about contributing to the time capsule and have gathered many artefacts and interesting information about life in their village. From pub menus to a photograph of the Humber Lifeboat, to the work of a local artist, even children from Easington Primary School have got involved by writing about what it is like living in Easington in the year 2005.

Commissioned by oil and energy company Hydro the time capsule – full of Norwegian and East Yorkshire memorabilia – will tomorrow [13 September 2005] be buried on the site of Easington’s old village hall to mark the start of building work on the new Community Hall which has been funded by Hydro and the partners of the Langeled Project.

To mark the occasion local MP Graham Stuart will help Langeled Project Asset Manager Anne Lycke to lower the time capsule into the foundations of the new Community Hall. The time capsule was specially built for the occasion by Ridgequest Ltd reads: This time capsule was buried in 2005 by Hydro on behalf of the Langeled Project. A plaque will also be placed in the entrance of the new Community Hall highlighting the whereabouts of the time capsule.

The time capsule and all its contents have also been registered with the International Time Capsule Society in Atlanta, USA who will record its details for historians for years to come.   

Demolition work began on Easington Church Hall in August and this week work will begin on the erection of the new community hall.  The Community Hall Committee comprised of members of the Parish Council and representatives from village organisations have worked closely with Beverley-based Salt Architects and the Langeled partners, to devise and deliver the proposed plans for the new community hall.

Reverend Grenville Heale, Rector of the Easington and Kilnsea Parish and Chairman of the committee said: “I am excited to see our plans start to take shape, as we move well into the construction stage. Although I was sad to see the old village hall go, it was an ageing and limited building.

“The new community hall will harmonise with the traditional village architecture whilst ensuring that it provides a wide range of activities for different age groups and abilities in the community.  We hope to promote the hall and attract more users to ensure it will be sustainable and able provide a useful community focus and resource for many years to come.”

The new community hall is expected to be completed mid December. Hydro has purchased the current Village Hall from All Saints Church and will give the new Community Hall back to the village on completion of the building work.

Graham Stuart commented: “Hydro and the Langeled Partners have done a wonderful job at engaging with residents and business across the East Riding during the construction of the world’s longest sub sea pipeline.  The plans for the new community hall are a major boost for local residents and the venue will be suitable for people of all ages.  I am delighted to be involved on this landmark occasion.”

Anne Lycke, Asset Manager for the Langeled Project, explained: “We have been able to forge close links with the Easington community and we wanted to create something that they and future generations will be able to enjoy – a venue that will bring the Parish and residents together. I am pleased that the new building is about to take shape and am excited that we are burying a time capsule in its foundations. Who knows what year it will be uncovered but hopefully the new Community Hall will provide Easington residents with many years of enjoyment.”

Since the construction phase of the Langeled Project began last year, Hydro and partners have been involved in a number of initiatives across the East Riding of Yorkshire.  Alongside providing funding for a new Community Hall, donating £20,000 to the Humber Lifeboat Station, they have also been involved in highway safety measures including Trucksafe and cycling safety courses – road safety initiatives in collaboration with East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

Please click here to see what was in the time capsule.