25 February 2026

A time capsule was buried at the Unity Centre - the new community centre that South Cambridgeshire District Council is building in Northstowe.

The time capsule was the result of working with Year 1 pupils at Northstowe Primary School on their understanding of history, and building a timeline of the new town. The pupils included lots of items that would tell the story of their lives in Northstowe - about their school, what they have been learning, and included a few mementos like school badges and acorns.

Building on the historical theme, Cambridgeshire County Council Archaeology Service contributed some fantastic pieces of iron age pottery, returning them to the ground they were dug out from. You can see more of Cambridgeshire's fantastic Northstowe finds at the Heritage Display opening soon at Northstowe Secondary School.

The theme of heritage is key to what we are building in Northstowe, and this was further emphasised by an artistic contribution to the capsule by local artist Chloe Leaper. Chloe has designed the artwork for the glazing in the Unity Centre, and also created the 'Symbol for Northstowe' sculpture which is the centrepiece of the garden design. Chloe's work explores the weaving together of narratives from the past to the present. The time capsule was placed underneath the Symbol for Northstowe for discovery by future generations.

The final contribution to the capsule was a letter and photograph from the Council's Cabinet members.

Cllr Henry Batchelor, Lead Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “The burying of the time capsule is a special moment as we are now just weeks away from opening the doors to the Unity Centre. Local children and the community have added their own piece of history for residents of the future to uncover. The Council leaves its own legacy too – through our £6.5million contribution, we’ve helped bring forward the construction of this fantastic building to ensure it becomes a space that Northstowe residents can enjoy for many years to come.”