GRAND CANYON GETS 'BURIED' IN ARDS

Rock from the Grand Canyon, cactus candy and a cowboy hat are among the items to be 'buried' in a time capsule in Ards.

The time capsule, delivered by four young people from the City of Peoria, Arizona - the Ards Borough's 'sister city' - during an exchange visit this summer was presented to Ards Borough Council to mark the centenary of the formation of Arizona as a state in the US in 2012. It also coincides with the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the sister city relationship between Ards and Peoria.

A centennial Arizona coin, anniversary badges, memorabilia from local ice hockey and football teams, along with a state map, postcards, photographs and testimonials from young people are also in the time capsule which is to be stored in the Council offices until 2061 when it will be re-opened to reveal the contents to a new generation. A similar capsule has now travelled to Arizona, highlighting the significance of 2012 both locally and nationally with the sinking of the Titanic, the Olympics and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations all happening in the same year.

"2012 is a very significant year for the people of Arizona, as it is for us locally, and I was delighted that the young people who take part in our annual exchange programme were able to mark its importance is this way," said Mayor of Ards, Councillor Mervyn Oswald. "With luck, they'll all be around to see the capsules opened in another 50 years and reflect on how both Arizona and Ards have changed in the intervening years".

As well as general images and information about the area, contrasting the past and the present, the Ards time capsule contains a model of the famous Titanic which was designed by Comber man, Thomas Andrews, along with photographs, stories and films about the ill-fated ship. Memorabilia relating to the accession of Queen Elizabeth II to the throne is also included, as is information relating to the signing of the Ulster Covenant, an event which also marks its centenary in 2012.