A piece of Romsey history was uncovered during the construction of Edwina Mountbatten lodge, our new development on Broadwater Road in Romsey. Hidden behind the foundation stone of the former Edwina Mountbatten House care home, a sealed lead time capsule dating back to 1969 has been discovered, offering a rare glimpse into the town’s past.
The capsule was found by demolition operative Dave Cairns from HWM Group earlier this year. As he carefully dismantled the original structure, he noticed something hidden behind the brickwork. Inside the lead casing, he discovered a collection of historical items, including a letter from Earl Mountbatten bearing his personal cypher, two editions of the Romsey Advertiser from 1969 showing visits from the then Prince of Wales and Princess Anne, documents detailing the construction of the original care home and a set of coins from the time, including early decimal currency.
Dave Cairns described the moment as extraordinary, saying: “I’ve worked in demolition for 30 years and never come across a time capsule. It was an amazing moment. You could feel the history as soon as we opened it.”
Kevin Sharp, Pre-Commencement Contracts Manager at Churchill Living, said: “This is more than just a historical curiosity. It’s a direct link to Romsey’s past, one we’re proud to preserve and celebrate as we build for the future. The fact that it contains records of local tradespeople and connections to the Mountbatten family makes it a truly special find.”
The company is now working with local stakeholders to explore suitable ways to preserve the capsule’s contents and share them with the wider community, especially any local people with connections to the former care home.
The old clock tower from the former Edwina Mountbatten House has also been carefully preserved by Churchill and is being kept safely in storage with a view to giving it back to the local community.
Construction of this new development is progressing well, and once completed it will offer 47 purpose-built one- and two-bedroom retirement apartments, designed for independent, low-maintenance living for the over-60s, just a short walk from the town’s shops and amenities.