Media centre

Wednesday 6 Aug 2025

Discovery of items from 46 years ago connects generations of craftsmanship

Region & Route:

Eastern

| Eastern: North & East

| Eastern: East Coast

Items stashed away inside a historical York building during roof repairs have been reunited with the worker who left them there – nearly half century on.

A 10p coin dated 1979, a cigarette packet and playing cards were among the pieces left at Bootham Bar – and have been unearthed during the current conservation works.

The find  struck a personal chord with Mick Colley, who now works for Network Rail, because he and colleague Jack Summerville hid the items while completing their work on the turrets 46 years ago. Mick, who was a teenage apprentice at the time, said:

“I was just a lad back then, working with Jack on the roof on my first proper big job.

“We were proud of what we were doing, and it wasn’t unusual to leave a little something behind – like that 10p piece – as a nod to the future.

“Seeing it again after all these years brings back memories I hadn’t thought about in decades. The cards and note were in a really good condition, so it shows we did a good job!”

Cllr Pete Kilbane, deputy leader of City of York Council, praised the discovery, saying:

“This is more than just a historical curiosity – it’s a tribute to the generations of skilled workers who’ve cared for our city’s heritage.

“We’re proud of the craftsmanship that’s kept York’s walls standing, and grateful to those who continue that legacy today.”

The conservation work at Bootham Bar is part of a wider initiative to preserve York’s iconic city walls, ensuring they remain a living monument to the city’s rich past.

The team of stonemasons working on the project now, will return the items found from 1979 back in their original spot, and will place these alongside a team photo of the crew working on the scheme now.

Learn more about the project and other ongoing conservation efforts at City of York Council’s website.

Find out more about careers and apprenticeships with Network Rail.