Unearthed time capsule from 1935 among artefacts on display at Kemble station
A time capsule buried at Kemble station nearly 90 years ago is one of the prized artefacts on display at an exhibition starting today.
Back in 1935, Station Master Cyril Feldwick placed a postage stamp and handwritten note in an old tobacco tin which was then hidden between a wall and window overlooking the station garden.
Unearthed 10 years ago and now belonging to Feldwick’s granddaughter, Bronwen Dale, the time capsule forms part of a display at the station entitled Kemble Through The Ages.
Masterminded by Great Western Railway colleagues Al Watkins and Sarah Bennet, the exhibition offers a glimpse into the rich history of the railway and surrounding community.
Al, a customer sales advisor at Kemble, said:
“The time capsule really is quite something. The Station Master placed a simple note and a postage stamp commemorating King George V and Queen Mary’s 25th Jubilee inside the tobacco tin. He joked that he ‘couldn’t afford to put a £1 note in the tin but hoped the Jubilee stamp would be useful’.
“There’s so much else to see here, too. Kemble is such a beautiful station and we’re such a close-knit community. There’s such a wonderful collection of historic photographs and artefacts and we wanted to put them on display.”
Feldwick’s granddaughter, Bronwen Dale, joined today’s celebration, and said:
“My mum actually remembered her dad writing the note and placing it in the tin. When it was found 10 years ago it was handed to mum, and when she passed away, I took possession of it. Donating it to this wonderful exhibition seemed the perfect thing to do.”
Great Western Railway Managing Director, Mark Hopwood, said:
“We’re really grateful to everyone who has supported this exhibition. A number of people have donated items that they’ve found or had in their possession for a number of years. It’s great to see so much commitment to this venture from the local community as well as from our own colleagues.”
Kemble Through The Ages also features a tribute to the Kemble Women’s Institute, photographs depicting village life through the 1940s, 50s and 60s, a vast collection of railway memorabilia, plus a display honouring war heroes.
GWR would like to thank colleagues, local residents and Swindon and Cricklade Railway for generously donating artefacts for the exhibition.
Contact Information
John Carter
Media and Communications Manager
Great Western Railway
0845 410 4444
Notes to editors
Main picture: Station Master Cyril Feldwick's grandchildren Bob Thomas and Bronwen Dale discuss the time capsule with GWR Managing Director Mark Hopwood, left, and GWR customer sales advisor Al Watkins, second from right
Inset, from top: The time capsule; GWR exhibition organisers Sarah Bennet and Al Watkins, left, with GWR Advisory Board member Sir Timothy Laurence, centre, exhibition contributor Pat Ayres MBE and Mark Hopwood; some of the artefacts on display
First Greater Western Limited, trading as “Great Western Railway” (GWR), operates trains across the Great Western franchise area, which includes South Wales, the West Country, the Cotswolds, across southern England and into London. GWR provides high speed, commuter, regional and branch line train services and helps more than 80 million passengers reach their destination every year. GWR has been awarded a National Rail Contract to operate the Great Western network: https://www.gwr.com/about-us