A time capsule containing a copy of the Manx Independent from June 1991 has been found and reburied on the site of Strand Group’s new corporate HQ.
The time capsule was found at Clucas Plc’s Gateway Development at Tromode Estate. This is on the former site of the old Clucas Laundry where the project covers 1.87 acres and is set to become the flagship development at the entrance to the estate.
The capsule was found by Ballasalla based builders, JCK Ltd, and handed in to Clucas’s office where it was recognised by Estate Manager, Tony Kneale, as the canister he had buried over 20 years ago. It included a short note as well as the Independent from June 7th 1991. Mr Kneale had also included a 5p piece and an Irish penny. ‘I remember I didn’t want to spend too much at the time,’ he joked. He used a canister for an old ink ribbon for the note and coins.
The site was previously home to the Clucas Laundry and also to a sail cloth mill. Strand Group has decided to retain a connection to the site’s roots and will name the new building Sailmaker House. Construction is on schedule and the building should be handed over by the end of September. Strand Group’s move into the new premises will be completed by the end of the year.
Mr Kneale, who has been with Clucas since 1967 when he joined as an apprentice electrician, has now reburied the time capsule on the site having updated his note and hopes it will be found again many years from now.
