Sealing the future
We held a special event at our 304 Bensham Lane development, where a time capsule was buried to mark our 125th anniversary.
We're building 75 new homes for the area and we marked the structural completion of the development. Pupils from nearby Bensham Manor School sealed a time capsule – not to be opened until 2076 – into the wall of the bike store to mark our 125 anniversary. Our Chief Executive Paul Hackett also placed the final piece of roofing felt, symbolising the structural completion of the building.
The capsule contained artwork and decorated pebbles made by pupils, a leaflet advertising this year’s pantomime at Fairfield Halls, a pin badge, a copy of our 125th anniversary resident magazine and a supermarket receipt.
Attendees celebrating our 125th anniversary included ward councillor Humayun Kabir, pupils and staff from Bensham Manor School, and representatives from Oakwood Building Contractors and employers’ agent Gardner Partnership. Residents are expected to move into the homes in late autumn 2027, when the development is due to complete.
Supporting the community
The partnership between Southern Housing and Oakwood Building Contractors has also delivered local employment opportunities, apprenticeships and educational activities with Bensham Manor School, along with £230,000 in social value funding for the charity Fresh Visions. Surplus building materials from the site have been donated to Bensham Manor Allotments for improvement works.
Paul Hackett said, “Our purpose remains the same as 125 years ago; offering safe, good-quality, affordable housing that supports people’s wellbeing. We’ll continue this legacy and will keep providing homes for people in need, today and long into the future.”
