A FAMILY baffled to discover a mysterious package hidden behind a fireplace were moved to tears when they saw what was inside.
Scott Bevan, 42, found an astonishing time capsule from 1969 stashed away as he carried out renovations on a property in Birmingham.
He'd been refurbishing the house for his sister, Deborah Phillips, when he stumbled across the find.
The package contained old Birmingham Evening Mail newspapers from 1969, as well as a black and white photograph of previous homeowner Ethel Wright.
Just 15 minutes later Scott discovered a second capsule in a column on the other side of the fireplace from 34 years ago.
In the bundle of documents, he found poignant card from the previous owners wishing any new tenant "luck and happiness" in the home.
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It read: "To whom it may concern. We wish you lots of happiness and good luck in your new home.
"We came here end of May 1967, it was then newly built and we have found contentment and security in these four walls.
"We hope you enjoy the house and garden as we have.
"The original fireplace was built 1969, and this one in August 1988, but I suppose when you arrive you will want to make major alterations so presumably you will find this note.
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"Good luck to you, regards, Ethel and Harold Wright."
The Wrights had invited their sons, Paul and Martin, and their daughters-in-law Jenny and Beverley, to sign too.
Scott, a metal detectorist from Castle Vale, Birmingham, said: "I just think it's a selfless and lovely thing to do and that is what is missing from the world at the minute – thinking about others.
"Debbie bought the house about two weeks ago – but it had been empty for four years before she moved in, so it needed a fair bit of work."
He said the package was wrapped in a plastic bag beneath some loose bricks.
MOVING SURPRISE
"I absolutely love discovering things that have been lost or conserved," he said.
"Once I pulled it out I realised it had something inside it of great sentimental worth."
Deborah became "quite emotional" as she read the card. She has moved into the home to be closer to her family after suffering a brain aneurysm.
"She is really hoping this move – which is where our mum, sister and brother live too – will begin a new and better chapter in her life," Scott said.
"Hopefully Debbie does find that happiness, contentment and security that the previous owners found through the house too."
just think it's a selfless and lovely thing to do and that is what is missing from the world at the minute – thinking about others
The first newspaper is dated April 1969, two years after the family moved in to their new-build house on Croy Drive, in Castle Vale.
The front page news contains stories of protests over pay at the Longbridge factory, a hunger strike at Winson Green Prison and a coal pit blast in Mexico.
The second paper, from August 1988, offers a 12-page special on the upcoming Birmingham Super Prix and cost 18 pence.
The black-and-white photo shows a portrait of Ethel, smartly dressed in a hat, suit and tie.
"I think it was an amazing thing that this wonderful couple had the foresight to do – it meant everything to Debbie and it was an honour to have been the one to find them," Scott said.
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"I said to my sister maybe she should do the same thing to leave her mark."
Ethel's photo will now be handed back to her son Paul who told Scott he had no idea the time capsules were even in the house.
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