PUPILS at Furness schools were ready to dig deep in 1995 to bury a record of modern life which would not be seen again for 50 years.

The Mail, on March 21, noted: “To celebrate the 30th birthday of the Design Council, St Bernard’s and Walney schools in Barrow are just two of 2,045 organisations involved in a time capsule project.

“At St Bernard’s, pupils in years seven and eight produced designs of what they think the world will be like in 50 years – the year 2045.

“The designs were based on different areas such as transport, clothing, food and drink.

“They were placed in a time capsule and buried – where they will remain until 2045 when the capsule will be opened to coincide with the centenary of the Design Council.”

History of another kind was made at St Bernard’s in July 1995 when five of its long-serving members of staff retired.

The Mail, on July 14, noted: “They will leave the Rating Lane school for the last time after more than 100 years of collective service.”

Among them was Aidan Smith who had recently received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice for his services in education, local government and ecumenism.

Technology classes at St Bernard’s gave pupils in 1997 the chance to gain skills and work on designs for everything from clothes to items to help with hobbies.

Daniel Seward made himself a padded steel frame to help with weight training and David Conway constructed a road trailer for his motor cycles.

Both projects were part of coursework towards the GCSE in technology.

There were more unusual products in July 1997 when pupils at St Bernard’s took part in the Magic of Engineering initiative with Young Engineering Clubs and the Technology Enhancement Programme.

Pupils were challenged to build motor-powered buggies capable of travelling 25m in the shortest possible time.

Michael Hartley’s design won the Cumbria final in a time of 6.57 seconds. Second and third places also went to pupils from St Bernard’s.