Time Capsule Competition Encourages Suffolk Schools Look Back In Time For Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

Suffolk Archives and the Suffolk Agricultural Association are encouraging primary schools in the county to look back over the past seven decades with a new competition to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. 

Suffolk’s Key Stage Two classes have been tasked with creating a time capsule to show how their school, students, teachers and community have changed over the Queen’s reign. 

The winning school will win a visit to The Hold to research and learn about their local area in the archives, and their time capsule will be stored in The Hold’s archives for future generations to see. 

The finalists will also be showcased at the School Farm and Country Fair, and at the Suffolk Show’s “Suffolk – The Platinum Years” display area, which will also feature a recreation of a 1952 classroom. 

The entries will be judged by The Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, Clare, Countess of Euston, Kate Chantry – Strategic Manager of Suffolk Archives, and David Barker, MBE, current Suffolk Agricultural Association’s President. The competition is also part of the Festival of Suffolk to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. 

Cllr Andrew Reid, Cabinet Member for Heritage at Suffolk County Council, said: “We want local schools to help us to celebrate education in Suffolk during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations at the Suffolk Show. This competition is a great opportunity to get pupils to engage with their local history, and have the results of their research preserved in The Hold for the future. Schools’ visits and resources are an important part of the service that Suffolk Archives offers to help support learning and bring history to life.” 

Phillip Ainsworth, Chief Executive of the Suffolk Agricultural Association added: “The Association, who organise the Suffolk Show, has long been involved in educating school aged children about food, farming and environment and it is only too fitting that we support a project where Suffolk pupils research and understand the county’s history and present it in a fun way for future generations to discover and explore”. 

The competition is partly funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, as part of Suffolk Archives’ engagement projects with communities across Suffolk. 

All the details of how to enter can be found at: www.suffolkarchives.co.uk/education/time-capsule/. If schools have any queries they can contact Hannah Woods, Show and Education Projects Lead, by emailing: hannah.woods@suffolkshow.co.uk.

Schools need to express an interest in taking part by 11 February 2022, but have until 25 March 2022 to deliver their entries. Winners will be announced by 1 April 2022.