To officially end its 100th anniversary celebration, Goddard Enterprises Limited (GEL) has created a time capsule to be unearthed in another 24 years.
On Tuesday, company officials and family members of the first owners of the original company came together to mark the encasement of a 100th anniversary time capsule at the Goddard Complex on Fontabelle, St Michael.
The collection of information and memorabilia, which is intended to tell a story about the company’s last 100 years and preserve its history, contains some keepsakes from the past two years including newspaper clippings, a disposable face mask, hand sanitizers and disinfectant spray and ash from the La Soufrière Volcano.
Thirty-three items were encased in a blue box, which was then carefully placed in a concrete structure on the grounds of the company’s Fontabelle complex.
During the short ceremony, Daphne Weekes, the oldest pensioner from the company who will be celebrating her 100th birthday next week and Michael Thornhill, the longest serving staff member, were recognised and presented with special gifts.
Past Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Joseph Goddard said the occasion was necessary, adding that burying a time capsule was really about “preserving history and keeping records” for those who come later.
“Today is about keeping history alive and I trust, that when they open this capsule in 2046, they will understand and appreciate our efforts in helping to preserve the history of this company,” said Goddard, grandson of founder Joseph Nathaniel Goddard.
Colin Goddard, also a grandson of the founder of the company, said the site for the placement of the time capsule was significant for his family since just about five years after starting J.N. Goddard & Sons, his grandfather got to purchase the property which is known as Kensington Estate.
“This location has not been chosen at random. It has deep meaning for us at Goddard Enterprises and I am happy to assist in the placement of the time capsule this morning, as we share memories of our 100th anniversary with those who will open it in 2046,” he told the small gathering.
Meanwhile, Group Chairman Charles Herbert said in addition to items associated with the company’s centenary celebrations including photos, a video on a flash drive, stickers, lapel pin, promotional material of new products from Purity Bakery and a letter to the staff and pensioners from Chief Executive Officer Anthony Ali, the capsule also included items that tell a story of what the company endured in recent times.
“There is a small container of volcanic ash which tells its own story, and of course, we had to include evidence of this pandemic. There is an empty Astra Zeneca vaccine canister, a syringe and a disposable face mask, as well as the commemorative coin for the frontline workers,” said Herbert.
“In addition, we have included a laptop and an old Blackberry mobile phone, which they will have fun with, I am sure, as technology is moving so fast that those items will probably look like ancient history by then. So we have tried to think of all the things that have happened around this time and include items to give a true picture of Barbados during our anniversary. When they open this in 2046, they will have some inkling of what we have gone through during this period,” explained Herbert.
The actual 100th anniversary day of the company is October 13, 2021, having started on October 13, 1921 through the partnership of Joseph Nathaniel Goddard and his son Victor. In October 2046, the company will celebrate its 125th anniversary. (MM)
