Ashbourne's Future Sealed: Pupils Bury Time Capsule in Regenerated Millennium Square
In a symbolic act bridging past and future, pupils from St Oswald's Primary School in Ashbourne have played a central role in placing a historic time capsule within the newly transformed Millennium Square. This event marks a significant milestone for the Ashbourne Reborn regeneration programme, a major initiative funded by the UK Government to revitalise the town centre.
A Capsule of Community and History
The carefully sealed time capsule contains a unique collection of items intended to tell the story of Ashbourne in 2025 to future generations. A highlight is a commemorative tea towel featuring self-portraits of every pupil from the 2025 academic year at St Oswald's, created to celebrate the school's 200th anniversary. This artistic contribution ensures the children's legacy is permanently woven into the town's fabric.
Ashbourne Town Council has enriched the capsule with several historical documents, including:
- A formal letter from the Mayor, Councillor Caroline Cooper.
- A detailed compilation from the Ashbourne Historical Centre outlining the rich history of Millennium Square itself.
- The official programme of events that animated Ashbourne's town centre throughout 2025.
Witnessing a Transformation
The capsule-laying ceremony was attended by key partners from the Ashbourne Reborn project, including representatives from local businesses and the community. District Councillor David Hughes, who chairs the Ashbourne Reborn Programme Board, and Mayor Caroline Cooper both addressed the gathered crowd, reflecting on the profound historical significance of the square's renewal.
With assistance from contractors Galliford Try, the schoolchildren then carefully placed the capsule beneath the new paving stones, physically sealing the completion of the square's transformation. This work forms a crucial part of the wider Highways and Public Realm project, led by Derbyshire County Council with plans originally developed by Ashbourne Town Council.
From Dilapidation to a Vibrant Community Space
The regeneration of the area off St John Street, carried out throughout 2025, represents a dramatic overhaul. Outdated 1960s brick walls and a dilapidated rest room from 1971 have been entirely removed. In their place, a new, inviting community space has been created, featuring:
- Stepped seating constructed from locally-sourced stone.
- A thoughtfully planted area designed for relaxation and social gathering.
- A graceful design that wraps around the fully restored Millennium Clock.
Councillor David Hughes emphasised the continuity of the space, stating: "St John Street and Millennium Square will have seen an extraordinary number of changes over their more than 500-year history. The common thread is its use for Ashbourne people to meet one another... I believe the transformation through Ashbourne Reborn will enable this to be carried forward for a long time to come."
A Square with a Rich Past Looks to the Future
Mayor Caroline Cooper detailed the square's own evolution, noting it has served as a public space since 1960. "Originally a rockery until seating was added... to commemorate the 25th anniversary of The Battle of Britain, it was then upgraded in 1971 to include the Elderly Persons Restroom," she explained. The Town Council assumed responsibility for the restroom in 2010 before its demolition in November 2023 paved the way for the current regeneration.
"We are all looking forward to seeing Millennium Square in the sunshine, with the plants maturing and blooming and people enjoying this pretty space," added the Mayor, envisioning its future use.
The Wider Ashbourne Reborn Vision
The Highways and Public Realm project is just one pillar of the ambitious Ashbourne Reborn programme. It has already delivered wider pavements, clearer pedestrian crossings, and enhanced public spaces throughout the historic town centre. The second major project is the creation of The Link Centre, a new community hub spearheaded by Ashbourne Methodist Church.
This comprehensive regeneration is made possible by UK Government funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, bolstered by substantial local match funding. Contributions have come from the Ashbourne Methodist Church community, grant-giving organisations, and local businesses.
The programme is a true collaborative effort. Derbyshire Dales District Council acts as the Accountable Body, while Derbyshire County Council delivers the highways project. These entities work alongside Ashbourne Town Team, Ashbourne Town Council, and AshCom, who were instrumental in developing the original proposals, identifying opportunities, and securing vital match funding.
