PUPILS from Holy Redeemer Catholic Primary School marked the opening of a new retirement development by burying a time capsule on the site.

The Nightingale Lodge development in Pershore celebrated the sites history and its links to Florence Nightingale.

The children filled the capsule with drawings and poems about the Lady with the Lamp, after whom the lodge is named.

The Defford Road development is situated on the site of the former Pershore Cottage Hospital, which Florence Nightingale helped to raise funds for in 1885, as well as playing a part in the design and build of the new hospital.

Bee Sanders, year 1 class teacher at Holy Redeemer Catholic Primary School, said: “This has been a fun project for the class to get involved in and a wonderful opportunity for the children to celebrate the local history of their home town.

"We’re very grateful to Churchill Retirement Living for organising the visit - all of the pupils worked very hard on their creations for the time capsule, which I’m sure our descendants will have a lot of enjoyment looking through one day.

"We had great fun thinking about what people in the future will think when they dig it up.”

Tracy Evans, regional marketing executive at Churchill Retirement Living, said: “We were delighted to host the children from Holy Redeemer Catholic Primary School and were grateful for their help in making our time capsule extra special with their fantastic work.

"Our owners enjoyed talking with the pupils and hearing all about what they’ve learnt about Florence Nightingale at school, and we hope that some of the same children can return with their own families one day to see the capsule dug up.”

The lodge on Defford Road comprises 23 one and two bedroom apartments for the over 60s.