Sealing Of Time Capsule Round Off Guildford Institute’s Year Celebrating 125 Years In Ward Street

Published on: 10 May, 2018
Updated on: 24 May, 2018

The Guildford Institute has held its final event in a year-long series celebrating 125 years at its location in Ward Street.

Pictured from left: the manager of the Guildford Institute, Amy Rice; local historian and writer David Rose; Sandra Robinson, the chairman of the board of trustees; and trustee Sue Yearley.

Local historian David Rose presented an enjoyable talk, which looked back over the history of the Institute. And the afternoon (April 26) came to a close with the sealing of an anniversary time capsule.

The institute’s events and membership assistant Amy Mason said: “Following David’s wonderfully informative and enjoyable talk, he and I sealed the time capsule.”

Items inside the time capsule include a letter from the Mayor of Guildford, copies of books Survival by Russell Chamberlin and Surviving and Thriving by Margaret Westwood, copies of its magazine The keep, brochures, programmes, event flyers, a flag, names of staff and trustees, cads from members and course attendees, a sewing machine embroidery, copies of anniversary coverage by local media, and copies of futurist readings.

At the close of the afternoon the audience was treated to a number of readings on a futuristic theme, an idea of trustee Sue Yearley. The readings were by Graham Robinson (institute member, course attendee and husband of the chairman of the trustees), Amy Mason who read on behalf of writer David Hicks (attendee of creative writing workshop), and Sue Yearley, who is also a course attendee.

The Guildford Institute has a special place in the heart of the local community. It is a unique venue where people of all ages and backgrounds can get together and take part in cultural and educational activities.

Manager Amy Rice took up her post in February. She began working at the institute in January 2014 as its membership and marketing assistant, where she succeeded in building up strong relationships with the institute’s members and regular attendees.

She was later promoted to the deputy manager post in October 2015. In this role, Amy was responsible for the institute’s adult education programme and has been visionary in developing the institute’s course offering.

She is particularly keen to increase the visibility of the Institute within the town and strengthen current links with other local organisations.