Ebury Bridge Community comes together for ‘Bridge to the Future’ time capsule event

The community at Ebury Bridge and Westminster City Council have marked a new chapter in the development with a time capsule event titled ‘A Bridge to the Future’, signifying the past meeting the present at this major regenerative project.

Residents and the local community joined together to reflect on the history of Ebury and discuss the importance of preserving memories of past communities at Ebury. During the event, residents filled a time capsule for future generations to connect with current residents.

Local communities and residents spoke fondly of life at Ebury and expressed excitement to be a part of a new beginning with the renewal to rejuvenate an existing 1930s estate.

Prior to the event, residents and members of the local community were encouraged to produce creative writing pieces, letters, photographs, and documentation of the ‘old Ebury’ and their hopes for the future to feature in the time capsule. 

The time capsule was funded by the ‘Community Chest’, funds set aside to deliver local Social Value projects as part of the main contractor’s commitments. The project was led by Bouygues UK’s Social Value team with support from the WCC (Westminster City Council) Communications and Engagement team. 

A range of items were included in the Time Capsule to show how ‘old meets new’ and demonstrate a microcosm of the Ebury residents and wider London. These included: 

• USB sticks with audios and videos extracted from the e-book/archive project  

• Laminated photos from residents   

• Laminated photos from past community events   

• Letters and Poems from residents  

• Creative writing pieces produced by pupils from St Barnabas Primary School who participated in a workshop dedicated to writing pieces for the Ebury Bridge Time Capsule event. Including stories and poems on current children’s hobbies, games, restaurants, and transport

• Items provided by businesses from Ebury Edge 
• Old brick from surrounding buildings 

To represent the voice of the community, attendees heard from a Ebury Bridge estate resident, Charlotte Pragnell, and the headteacher from the local primary school, St Barnabus. Resident attendees were also given the opportunity to get involved in the burial of the time capsule. 

The Time Capsule will be placed in the Phase 1 Landscaping outside of Block 8 – to be opened in 50 years’ time. Located in the heart of central London, Ebury Bridge will deliver 781 high-quality, sustainable mixed-tenure homes for both existing communities and new residents and it is the largest affordable homes project in South Westminster for over 50 years.

Jeff Joseph, Head of Social Value, London & South East at Bouygues UK, said:

“At Bouygues UK, we are immensely proud to be part of this unique event that captures the vibrant essence of the Ebury Bridge Estate and surrounding area in 2024. The contributions of creative writing, photographs, and reflections on both the past and the future are a testament to the remarkable spirit and creativity of the local community. In partnership with Westminster City Council, our goal throughout the project has been to support and amplify the voices and aspirations of the local residents while delivering sustainable benefits for everyone who lives and works here. We hope that whoever may open this time capsule in the years to come, will have witnessed the lasting impact of this fantastic scheme." 

Cllr Matt Noble, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Renters at Westminster City Council, said:

“This ceremony marks the beginning of a new chapter for Ebury Bridge and its residents. Maintaining and nurturing the community is at the heart of the regeneration scheme, and this event has commemorated both past and present residents. In 50 years when the time capsule is discovered, we hope the essence of community at Ebury has grown even stronger”. 

Cllr Liza Begum, Cabinet Member for Housing Services at Westminster City Council said:

“As we look towards the future, we are honouring the past through celebrating the history of the community. This is not only an exciting time for Westminster, but also for the residents of Ebury Bridge who are entering a new phase. The burial of time capsule has allowed us to capture and memorialise this moment.”