The lucky winners of a ‘write a letter to the future’ competition got to open a nineteenth-century time capsule, revealing its much-anticipated contents.

Pupils at Buxton School were delighted to discover two newspapers, The Standard and the Stratford Express, dating back to May 1899 and the programme of events from the same year inside the historic artefact.

The winners’ letters will be among a host of items buried in a new time capsule in the school’s site in Cobbold Road, Leytonstone, for future generations to dig up.

The hidden treasure was unearthed in brickwork of the old building when it was demolished back in May as work on a new £20 million extension began.

MP for Brent Central Dawn Butler who is a former pupil of the school cut the ribbon at an unveiling ceremony on Saturday, September 15.

To mark the occasion, members of the community were invited into the school’s grounds to enjoy a football tournament, bouncy castle, BBQ and live musical performances.

Ms Butler said: “It is a tremendous privilege to return to my former school at the reopening of this fantastic new building.

“It is wonderful to see that the diversity and community spirit which made this such a special school when I attend remains to this day.

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Headteacher Kath Wheeler, MP Dawn Butler and Mayor of Waltham Forest Cllr Sally Littlejohn cut the ribbon 

“We were all witness to a special piece of history today when the bottle was opened for the first time in 119 years.

“I am also really please that they have decided to bury their own time capsule for future generations to discover.”

The Stratford Express, which covered Leyton, Leytonstone, Wanstead, Woodford and Walthamstow, ran for 145 years until 2011.

The Standard, now known as the Evening Standard, has been delivering news to Londoners for since 1827.

Headteacher Kath Wheeler said: “It has been a great privilege to open the school today to the community and have the opportunity to showcase the outstanding facilities now on offer at Buxton School.

“With the unveiling of a 119-year-old time capsule and grand reopening of our £20m new primary and secondary, it has been truly an historic day in the proud history of this school.

“The facilities now available at Buxton School now match the Ofsted acknowledged top quality of education on offer to both current and future students.”

After its opening by Wanstead School board in 1899, Cobbold Road was reopened as two schools, Cann Hall primary and Tom Hood, in 1925 before becoming Buxton all through school in 2010.

One of the winners, Malcolm Barrall, 74, of Leytonstone, said: “My children attended this school so I have a real connection to the school and site.

“Knowing that my letter will be read by future generations really makes you feel part of the history of the school and the community.”

The two to other winners were Mark Alford and Bob Cook, both of construction firm Bowmer & Kirkland.