Overview: An empty bottle of Black & White Special Blend Scotch Whisky was discovered during a £3.4m refurbishment of The Liversage Trust’s historic almshouses on London Road, Derby. The item was concealed behind a staircase at number 87A since October 12, 1959, alongside a handwritten note signed by W H Braid.
The Full Story
Contractors working on the Grade II listed building uncovered the discovery while removing the staircase to create space for a new downstairs toilet. A joiner and site manager Steve Wooddisse identified the items behind the stairs at number 87A during the project. The note, written on the back of a Ciro nylon hair net packet, offers a snapshot of life in Derby on the day it was hidden.
The message expresses concern about war, notes the Conservative election victory with a 101 majority, and mentions Derby County’s 1-0 win over Portsmouth. It records thoughts about the prospect of war, references the recent General Election, comments on the weather after an unusually dry summer, and records Derby County’s 1-0 victory over Portsmouth just days earlier. The note is signed W H Braid, 3 Swarkestone Drive, Littleover.
What This Means
Although the whisky had long since gone, the bottle itself has been identified as an authentic example dating from between 1953 and 1962. Had it remained full and unopened, similar bottles can be worth as much as £300 at auction today. Andy Mellors of The Liversage Trust stated that finding the bottle was interesting, but it was the note that really stopped them in their tracks. Someone took the time to leave a message for whoever might one day uncover it, never knowing if it would be found. The discovery gives a small but very personal connection with someone who worked on these buildings decades ago.
Consumer Takeaway
This bottle offers a historical artifact rather than a beverage experience, as the liquid has long since gone. The discovery provides a tangible link to the past at 87A London Road, Derby, during the Trust’s transformation of the Grade II listed almshouse into 17 modernised homes. Anyone who recognises the name W H Braid, or remembers someone living at 3 Swarkestone Drive, Littleover, is invited to get in touch with The Liversage Trust.
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