Time capsule due to be opened after 28 years at Chichester hospital

Nuffield Health Chichester Hospital, in Broyle Road, was planning a reunion event at the private hospital on April 21 – with former staff who worked at there when it opened in 1992 among those invited to attend.

While that event has now been postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, the hospital is still keen to hear from anyone who was present at the opening 28 years ago, or who has any memories from the day the time capsule was buried, in the hope that the event can be rescheduled.

Built in 1992 by Independent Care, the hospital was originally known as the Sherburne Hospital.

To mark its opening 28 years ago Kenneth Steven, director of builders Prodescon, handed over a time capsule to then-owner Adrian Stevensen.

At the time, the Chichester Observer reported that items included in the time capsule include memorabilia from Prodescon, drawings from Miller Hughes Associates, statements on environmental issues, and an inscribed crystal plaque from the founders of the hospital – as well as an issue of the Chichester Observer.

Mr Steven said the capsule was not to be opened until April 21, 2020.

Anyone interested in attending the event can contact Sarah Mitchell at Nuffield Health Chichester Hospital by email: [email protected] or call 01243 753034.

---

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

Thank you for reading this story on our website.

But I also have an urgent plea to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality local news on this free-to-read site and in print, please purchase a copy of our newspaper as well. With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on our town centres and many of our valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you buying a copy.

Our journalists are highly trained by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards anywhere in the world. Our content is universally trusted - as all independent research proves.

As Baroness Barran said in a House of Lords debate this week on the importance of journalists: “Not only are they a trusted source of facts, but they will have a role to play in rallying communities and getting the message across about how we can keep ourselves and our families safe, and protect our NHS. Undoubtedly, they have a critical role.”

But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis. In return we will continue to forensically cover the local news - not only the impact of the virus but all the positive and uplifting news happening in these dark days.

In addition, please write to your MP urging the Government to provide some additional financial support for local newspapers and their websites like this one and ensuring that supermarkets continue to stock them. I cannot stress enough how important such an intervention would be.

We thank all our readers and advertisers for their understanding and support - and we wish YOU all the best in the coming weeks. Keep safe, and follow the Government advice. Thank you.