A COLLECTION of artefacts discovered in a time capsule in New Cumnock are set to now go on display.

The Chronicle reported back in July how residents in the town got more than they bargained for following the demolition of the Arthur Memorial Church.

As the demolition team moved in they got a blast from the past in the form of a perfectly preserved time capsule featuring items from as far back as 1843. The capsule even included a very old copy of the Chronicle.

The church stood majestically on the castle hill at the heart of the village for just over 100 years before being pulled down.

Now some of the Arthur Memorial Church’s treasured memories will be on display in New Cumnock Parish Church Hall from Monday, October 26 until Sunday, November 1.

The Capsule included the Arthur Dux medal, coins dating back to 1806, copies of the Cumnock Chronicle and our sister paper, the Ayr Advertiser.

As well as a buried treasure of documents, newspapers and coins from the distant past which people can see, the more recent life of the church until its closure in 1982 will be on display. As always with New Cumnock, there are many new and amazing tales to be told and family roots and branches to be explored.

A small team from the Church and community is working with local historian, Bobby Guthrie and East Ayrshire’s Museum’s manager, Jason Sutcliffe to organise the display. If you can help, please contact the Minister on 01290338296. If you have photographs, stories or other items that you can add to the display, please bring them to the Parish Church Hall on Thursday's between 9.45am and 11.45am or contact the Minister.

The Reverend Helen Cuthbert said: “It’s clear that the demolition of the Arthur Memorial has touched many people bringing reminders of special times in their lives and the lives of their families whether weddings, Baptisms, steps of faith, times of fellowship.

“It would be great to be able to gather these memories together as a tribute to the times and people who influenced us.” Bobby Guthrie added: “As part of our recent Auld Kirk and Village Heritage Trail project we recognised the Arthur family’s contribution to our parish and restored the family lair in the kirkyard. William Arthur was also one of the parishioners researched by the school children, as was Andrew Stirling the Free Church Schoolmaster.

“It seems fitting that we now do something to preserve the memories of the Arthur Memorial Church and Free Church and catalogue the time capsule findings."

Details of the ‘Memorial for the Arthur Memorial’ can be found at www.newcumnockheritage.com.

Memorial to Arthur Memorial display times;- Monday, October 26 2-4pm and 6-8pm. Tuesday, October 27 2-4pm and 6-8pm. Wednesday October 28: 2-4pm. Thursday October 29: 9.45-11.45am and 6-8pm. Friday October 30: 6-8 pm. Saturday October 31: 11am-1 pm. Sunday November 1: 12.15-3pm.