STAFF at a Trowbridge primary school have given up trying to find a 25-year anniversary time capsule.

After a fruitless dig near an oak tree planted in 1994, they were forced to admit defeat and call in specialist metal detectorists.

But despite a search lasting three weeks, teachers at Grove Primary School were unable to locate the time capsule buried by former head teacher Paul Berry.

Current headteacher Anna Pemberton said: “We’ve had to admit defeat.

“We think Mr Berry buried it close to the oak tree which has since grown and is now huge.

“We’ve dug holes all around the tree and couldn’t find it.

“We called in metal detectorists but even they could not find it. When I told Mr Berry he found it very funny.”

The school began celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2019 and has educated three generations of some families. They include Sharon Gingell, who was one of the first pupils at the school in 1969.

Since then, it has educated her daughter Marie Stanley and her grandson, Riley Stanley, 11, who is in his final year.

Mrs Gingell said: “I can remember the time capsule being planted by Mr Berry.”

Mrs Pemberton and pupils last week planted a second time capsule to mark the 50th anniversary and this time, the spot will be carefully marked.

It has been filled letters from every one of the school’s 14 classes to give children of the future a glimpse of what life was like in 2020.

Organiser Sarah Brown said: “The capsule contains details of school life, trips, school dinner menus, stationery and our special Grove Road 50 badge.”

To celebrate the Grove 50 anniversary, the school has planned a series of events.

Starting last September, they have included a launch party and Growing for Grove, with children planting daffodil and other bulbs, and lessons looking back at school life over the past 25 years.

They will also focus on school life since the 1960s, with ex-pupils invited to tell children what Grove Primary School was like in their day.

Term 5 sees a Fit at 50 feature, with activities focusing on fitness, sport and healthy eating, culminating in a Golden Sports Day.

The final term sees a Grove Fest from 3-8pm on July 18, with local groups, the school choir and performers celebrating the anniversary.