Residents in Chipping Sodbury are "absolutely devastated" after a community time capsule was dug up and destroyed. The Big Lunch time capsule, which was buried at The Ridings Memorial Gardens in 2018, marked the town's 800th anniversary.
The capsule contained poems and pictures from local schoolchildren as well as newspapers and business flyers. Earlier this month, it was dug up and later found destroyed.
Avon and Somerset Police said two teenagers have been identified in relation to the criminal damage and will be interviewed at a later date. While some of the contents had been destroyed by the weather, some of the children's pictures and photos were salvaged and returned to the original owner.
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The Chipping Sodbury Big Lunch Facebook page announced: "We are absolutely devastated and shocked that our Big Lunch time capsule, buried in 2018 as part of the celebrations to mark Chipping Sodbury's 800th anniversary, has been dug up and stolen from the Millennium Gardens.
"Not only were the items inside a snapshot in time of our wonderful town, they were irreplaceable pieces of history donated by local businesses with many items made especially by local schoolchildren. We had taken photos of every business owner in the town outside their premises, some of which have now changed hands, and made a detailed album cataloguing our local town's economy in that year. Also contained were lots of items to remember the medieval celebrations of 2018 marking the anniversary.
"Not to forget the time and effort that went into collecting all the memorabilia and photographs. We are truly devastated by such wanton vandalism and theft of something meant for future generations to learn about Chipping Sodbury's history.
"If you have any information about the theft or whereabouts of our time capsule please get in touch with us or the town council or police. Thank you."
Sgt Rob Turner, from the Neighbourhood Policing team, said: “Following a social media post about the time capsule being dug up, two teenagers attended a police station with their parents, and they’ll be voluntarily interviewed at a future date in connection with the criminal damage offence.
“The contents of the capsule, which had been strewn under a hedge, was also handed into the police station. Sadly, some of the contents have been destroyed by the weather but we’ve been able to dry out and salvage all of the children’s pictures and most of the photos, which we’ll give back to the original owner of the capsule.
“We’d like to thank the community for their ongoing support with this investigation.”
People took to the comment section of the Facebook post to express their disappointment. Tracey Salt said: "There are no words. I really hope this is found."
Mireille Williams said: "I just don’t understand why anyone would do this. I’m so sorry - I hope it is handed in soon."
Kim Tiley put: "Sad to read this, it's beyond wrong!!!"
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