On Air Early Breakfast Chris Williams | 5:00am - 7:30am

Ballacloan Infants’ School demolition nears completion

Plans to use the site as temporary parking for nearby development

The demolition of Ballacloan Infants’ School building in Douglas appears to be nearing completion.

It was closed back in 2016, three years after it had merged with Fairfield Junior School to become Henry Bloom Noble Primary School.

When the demolition is complete, the Manx Development Corporation will use the Demesne Road site as "temporary parking for storage of plant vehicles and equipment" for its nearby redevelopment project of the old nurses’ homes on Westmoreland Road.

Last week, Manx National Heritage revealed a time capsule had been discovered at the site sealed in wax and wrapped in lead.

A visit to the iMuseum revealed the contents of the time capsule were documented in Mona's Herald on 22 November 1905.

The article states: "Mr M. Carine: As chairman of the Building Committee, I have been asked to place this sealed bottle in the cavity of this stone. The sealed bottle contains a list of the names of the members of the Board; a list of the names of the officials and of the head teachers of the several schools of the Board; a print of the last triennial report of the Board; copies of last week's issues of Douglas newspapers; a copy of the current week's "Mona's Herald"; a copy of the "Daily Times" of this date; some current coins; also other documents in connection with the work of the Board, which will prove of interest when in the future the bottle is opened. I have now very much pleasure in asking Mrs Inglis to graciously perform the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of this school."

You can read the full Mona's Herald article HERE.

More from Isle of Man News