Lasting reminder of 2002

EXCITED children have helped bury a lasting reminder of June 2002, deep in the foundations of TXU's new £35million UK business centre.

The huge complex is taking shape in Russell Road, Ipswich, after the previous premises was demolished in July last year. It will house more than 1,000 staff relocated from existing offices around town.

Into its foundations was laid a time capsule, its lid firmly sealed to withstand the test of time, containing items to represent TXU, Ipswich and the world.

Accommodation programme leader Richard Brice told onlookers: "It is quite exciting to be putting something in the foundations which will be around in the future. People will one day see what it was like on this day in June 2002."

He later added: "The previous building was up for 40 years and we hope this one will last longer than that, so the time capsule will stay buried until change naturally comes."

The capsule included an edition of The Evening Star, an Ipswich Town football shirt and World Cup memorabilia.

Children aged seven and eight from Gusford Primary School, won a TXU competition to choose what was included, and designed posters to bury. They each placed their posters in the capsule, after having a look round the building site in hard hats and reflective jackets.

There was also a competition for employees' children to draw how people may travel to work in 50 years' time.

It was won by seven-year-old Orlagh Joyce, of Wolsey Gardens, Felixstowe, whose dad Jar works as a solicitor for the energy company.

Mr Joyce said: "Orlagh really kept going on about it, asking if she'd won, so she's been really excited about this. She designed a peanut-powered tricycle!

"It's also nice for her to see the new office where I will be working. Hopefully they'll reserve a nice room for me overlooking the football pitch!"

The new building is due to be handed over by the builders Bovis, in February next year, and staff should be moved in by this time next year.