Thanks to the vigilance of the Grayshott Village Archive, in connection with Grayshott Parish Council, the Foundation Stone and Plaque were rescued during the demolition of the former Grayshott Clinic and safely put aside ensuring that a 90 year old time capsule, discovered later hidden in the top of the Foundation Stone, could be opened to reveal the contents.
The original clinic building was erected in 1920 at the junction of School Road and Beech Hanger Road in Grayshott to be opened the following year and has served the village for some 80 years. Originally being designated as a 'Peace Memorial' to the Great War, local benefactors were foremost in the provision of this important village asset. Also on the site was a timber outbuilding used as an additional clinic which had previously been used as Lloyds Bank at Bramshott Camp during 1914 / 18.
The time capsule was in fact a pocket about 100 x 100 x 430mm cut into the top face of the foundation stone and sealed with a slate panel bedded in red lead putty. After removal of the slate panel the contents were taken out for examination.
There was a collection of what was then current coinage dated 1920 comprising one farthing, one halfpenny, one penny, one three pence and one sixpence ( a total of a little less than 5p in the money of today ) this being wrapped in leather with a wax seal which had subsequently disintegrated.
A canvas roll contained a copy of the 'Times' newspaper for Wednesday, October 27th, 1920 along with a supplement to the 'Times' dated Monday 11th October 1920 for the 'Welcome Home to our Ambassador Prince' being a photographic account of the Prince of Wales commonwealth tour. Unfortunately both of these items had been affected by damp.
It is the intention that these items will again be put away along with similar ones from the present day into the stone. The stone and the memorial plaque will then be built into a suitable feature on the corner of the site when the redevelopment is completed.
For further information on the original building and the early history of medical care in Grayshott please go to the Grayshott Village archive website www.grayshott-archive.org.uk
