Time capsule made by Peterlee care home residents captures life in 2020

Residents at Bannatyne Lodge Care Home, on Manor Way in Peterlee, wrote about their favourite experiences, films and songs, and their feelings about 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 residents and 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.”

Asked about the current pandemic, she said: “The staff sit and talk to me and keep me safe.”

Freda Campbell, 85, Derek Bestford, 57, and Ronald Sumpton, 55, all highlighted family as their best life experiences, having children and becoming grandparents.

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

Ronald added: “You just have to get on with the situation and make the best of it.”

Margaret Hepple, 87, said: “I love to do crafts. I enjoy talking to people and making cards for members of staff.

“My favourite experience was seeing pink flamingos when I went on holiday in Germany and saw the birds in a park.”

Dawn Minto, activities coordinator 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.

“Who knows but perhaps the time capsule will be found when I’m 90 and we can have a party.”