East Yorkshire homeowner finds 1955 time capsule behind wall

During a home renovation in Welton, East Yorkshire, resident Brendon Swallow discovered a hidden time capsule behind an old bookshelf. The dusty package contained a letter dated March 1, 1955, addressed specifically to the ‘future finder.’

The letter was written by an electrician named Gordon Hopper, who provided personal insights into mid-1950s life, including details about his wages, the weather, military service, and the political climate of the era. The package also included a message from Hopper’s 18-year-old apprentice, Brian McDade, who worked for Thompsons of Hull.

Swallow, who has lived in the house for 13 years, expressed interest in researching the lives of the two men. Rather than displaying the letter in a showcase, he intends to add a message about the modern world to the collection and reseal it within the wall for future generations to find.