West Lothian Covid time capsule with children's…

West Lothian Covid time capsule with children's thoughts on pandemic buried for 50 years

A time capsule recording some of thoughts of pupils about the Covid pandemic has been sealed in the walls of Whitburn's Burgh Halls.

The capsule, which will remain sealed until 2072, was put in place as the building's town clock started telling the time again for the first time in four years.

It’s a reminder that the Burgh Halls, a reflection of civic pride when it was opened in 1830, is once again becoming the centre of civic life in Whitburn as part of West Lothian council’s new Partnership.

The clock was stopped in 2018 when the building was emptied for initial asbestos tests to be carried out on the building prior to the start of the refurbishment programme. That transformation is now nearing completion.

The opening of the building is expected within the next few months. External works are complete and works are under way to complete the interior of the building which will houses council offices, the town’s new library and a museum.

The Burgh Halls in East Main Street Whitburn with its Town Hall clock opened in 1830. (Maxi Construction)

The time capsule created by primary school pupils has been planted in the wall of the new Partnership Centre to capture a piece of history for future generations.

More than a hundred pupils from Croftmalloch, Polkemmmet and Whitdale Primary Schools participated in online museum sessions before working with their class teachers to create content for the time capsule.

The content includes drawings, photographs and writing. Together, they provide a snapshot into life at Whitburn primary schools today. The capsule also includes some of the pupils’ thoughts and feelings about the Covid-19 lockdown.

The time capsule will be opened in fifty years’ time. It is hoped that it will provide future generations of residents with insight into Whitburn life in the 2020s.

Work on the new outdoor open space for the Partnership building just off East Main Street, Whitburn (Maxi Construction)

West Lothian Council’s Depute Leader, Kirsteen Sullivan met a selection of pupils and staff from each of the schools at the site of the new Whitburn Partnership Centre to hear more about the project.

Councillor Sullivan said: “It was fantastic to see the pupils clearly so enthused by this project and embracing being a part of the local community. They and their classmates are now a part of the rich local history of Whitburn and this will hopefully be a fond memory they will always be able to look back on.

“The new Partnership Centre will host a wide range of community facilities under one roof and is set to play a key role in the future of Whitburn.”

Maxi Construction is leading on the delivery of the new Partnership Centre facility and they assisted the pupils with the task of safely depositing the time capsule into a section of the wall in the area which will house the Whitburn Heritage Museum upon completion.

John Aitchison, Maxi Construction’s Managing Director, commented “We’re delighted to continue our successful association with West Lothian Council in the provision of facilities for local communities. We hope that the residents of Whitburn benefit greatly from the new Partnership Centre which has conserved the historic Burgh Halls and will provide multiple services in the heart of the community.”