A TIME capsule has been buried in the garden at St Michael’s Church Hall in Musselburgh by local Scouts.

Marked by a stone plaque carved and donated by retired Edinburgh man John Spencely CBE, it will be retrieved on Saturday, April 27, 2041, at 2pm.

The time capsule captures the youngsters’ thoughts on the Covid-19 lockdown and the future; what they thought 2041 would be like; what technology there would be; and what will have changed.

They chose a recent news clipping and gave their hopes and fears on what 2041 would be like for them personally.

The troop from 1st Musselburgh Scouts, with members aged 10 to 14, put a lot of effort into the evidence they produced, with their hopes that coronavirus was over, that they had good houses and jobs, with no offices, bigger and better televisions, self-drive electric cars, personal jet pack travel, better health with more cures, better VR systems, more space exploration and a space hotel on Mars.

Fears were over population, climate change causing droughts, food shortages, animal extinction and too many robots.

A recent exhibition of the Scouts’ work during lockdown was also enjoyed in a socially distanced way at the rear of St Michael’s Church Hall on Dalrymple Loan.

The event, organised by Scout leaders Richard Maltman and Andrew Horrell, gave family and friends the chance to see what the troop had been involved in during the past year.

The Scouts have been focusing on ‘Well Being,’ with the aim of becoming Well Being Champions, aware of their own health and that of the people around them.

A series of Zoom calls was developed looking at cooking, staying connected, being active, taking notice, learning and self-review.

Anyone who wants to find out more about becoming a Beaver (6-8 years), Cub (8-10½ years), Scout (10½-14 years), or Explorer (14-18 years) should email info@sesscouts.org.uk