Churchill Retirement Living has marked the opening of its William Lodge development in Malmesbury by inviting local school children to help bury a time capsule on site.

Pupils from Malmesbury CofE Primary School joined Owners from the Lodge to bury the time capsule, which they filled with a special handmade card signed by every pupil, music sheets from the school choir, as well as a collage of the school’s badge created by Year 5 pupils.

William Lodge, on Gloucester Road, is named after William of Malmesbury, the foremost English historian of 13th century who was born in Wiltshire and spent his adult life as a monk at Malmesbury Abbey.

Steve Heal, headteacher at Malmesbury CofE Primary School, said: “This has been a fun project for the school to get involved in and a wonderful opportunity for the children to not only get creative, but also meet with people from the wider community in Malmesbury. 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!”

Jo Ridehalgh, regional marketing executive at Churchill Retirement Living, said: “We were delighted to host the children from Malmesbury CofE 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 we hope that some of the same children can return with their own families one day to see the capsule dug up.”

Located on Gloucester Road, William Lodge is a collection of 26 one and two bedroom privately owned retirement apartments and shared facilities, designed exclusively for the over 60s. Apartments boast spacious rooms throughout and an ideal combination of design and functionality. The fully fitted, stylish kitchens include a built in fridge and freezer, hob and an oven, which is located at an easy-reach height. All of the properties benefit from illuminated light switches for added convenience. Owners also enjoy ultimate peace of mind from a fitted camera entry system for the highest level of security and a 24 hour emergency call system.

With less to worry about, Owners will have more time to do the things they enjoy, including taking advantage of the host of other benefits which will be on offer including having family or friends to stay in the development’s well-appointed Guest Suite, and enjoying a chat with neighbours, or attending one of the many events, in the Owners’ Lounge. They can also take advantage of Churchill’s Reward Card which gives them access to exclusive deals and discounts on a variety of national brands and local retailers. The development is well located for the town’s thriving high street with an array of independent retailers and a weekly farmers’ and artisan market.

The town’s medieval streets with their old courtroom, shops and inns are dominated by the beautiful seventh-century abbey, one of England’s most historic sites. Today the abbey holds regular services for the local community and is home to a bookshop and the Abbey Kitchen serving coffee and light snacks. The internationally renowned Abbey House Gardens surrounding the abbey offer a romantic and unique oasis in the centre of town and are often used for concerts and events through the summer.

Malmesbury is also home to many annual musical, cultural and food events and festivals. The nearby Royal Gardens at Highgrove are an extraordinary collection of gardens, created by HRH The Prince of Wales and a haven for a variety of flora and fauna. Further south is the village of Lacock, with its picturesque streets, historic buildings and Abbey; a beautiful country house with woodland garden and views across the Wiltshire landscapes. Malmesbury is also perfectly placed to enjoy the Georgian Spa City of Bath with its classical architecture, Roman baths, majestic Abbey and extensive shopping facilities.

For more information on the apartments available at William Lodge, visit the show complex open daily from 10am to 5pm, call 01666 718 270 or visit www.churchillretirement.co.uk.