A MYSTERY time capsule thought to be more than 100 years old has been found during the demolition of a former secondary school building.
Stonemasons stumbled across the small glass bottle as they worked to dismantle the entrance archway to the Fulford building on the old Penistone Grammar School site, which has been flattened to make way for housing.
The capsule, which is sealed with a cork and wax, looks to contain newspaper cuttings and an exercise book, along with numerous pieces of paper.
Staff have placed it in the school safe and, with the help of experts, hope to reveal the contents at a public event attended by ex-pupils, former teachers and members of the local community.
West Yorkshire based stonemason Jonathan Hunter made the discovery with two colleagues.
He said: "Half way down the left-hand side of the doorway we lifted out one of the stones and sitting behind it was this time capsule - I couldn't believe how clean it was.
"I've worked on many historic buildings and listed buildings and haven't come across anything so it's exciting and unusual."
Fulford opened in 1911 and Mr Hunter said the location of the capsule meant it must have been placed there during the build, which would mean it is at least 103 years old.
School staff now plan to contact artefact experts for advice before opening the capsule at a community event.
