As I kid, I’d watch programme about time travel: Dr Who; Lost in Space; Andy Pandy.

I’d wonder, if I were to dig a hole in Tooting Bec Common and bury a box in it, what would that box contain which would educate future generations or aliens arriving to discover the culture of sixties and seventies London?

I’d put in my Tufty Club hanky.  If you’re arriving from Jupiter, you’re going to need to know how to cross the road safely.

A box of Tide would be essential.  Travelling several million miles from another galaxy, you’re going to need to do some washing when you land.  You might be a superior being, but you still need to be clean.

A Galaxy obviously as the new visitors need to know we knew the word for where they’ve come from.  Obviously, as a teenager growing up, I was unaware of sell-by dates.

A box of dates, to show why Christmas is special.

The single “Ernie” by Benny Hill to demonstrate we have a sense of humour and in-depth knowledge of music.

A copy of Practical Householder magazine in case they don’t like some of our buildings.

A book of Green Shield Stamps as you can never have enough towels.

A copy of Shoot should Accrington Stanely have made a rapid recovery back to Division One by the year 2525.

People in the future will believe that some milkmen are not to be trusted; spirit levels were worshipped at Christmas and we did anything to get quadruple stamps.