What This Man Found in an Old Candy Tin After 60 Years Will Restore Your Faith in Doing the Right Thing

Quick Smiles:

• A man returned 700-year-old monastery tiles he took as a child—nearly 60 years later
• The precious medieval artifacts were discovered tucked inside a candy tin
• His heartfelt act of conscience brings a wholesome ending to a childhood mistake

Sometimes the right thing to do takes a lifetime to accomplish—and this heartwarming story proves it’s never too late to make amends. A man who took medieval floor tiles from a historic monastery as a young boy has finally returned them after keeping them hidden in a candy tin for nearly six decades.

Simon White was just nine years old when he pocketed the precious 700-year-old pieces from Wenlock Priory in England. The young boy, encouraged by his father at the time, took the tiles as a souvenir during a family visit to the historic site.

Fast forward almost 60 years, and those same tiles—carefully preserved inside an old candy tin—made their way back home. White’s decision to return the artifacts to English Heritage has touched hearts and serves as a beautiful reminder that conscience and integrity can triumph, even after many years.

The medieval floor tiles, dating back approximately 700 years, are significant historical artifacts from Wenlock Priory. Their return allows heritage experts to properly preserve and display them for future generations to appreciate.

English Heritage Assistant Curator Matty Cambridge expressed gratitude for the return of these precious pieces of history. The organization welcomes the tiles back as an important part of the monastery’s story and England’s cultural heritage.

This touching act of restitution reminds us that it’s never too late to right a wrong. White’s decision to finally return what he took as a child—despite the passage of nearly six decades—shows the power of doing the right thing, no matter how much time has passed.

The story serves as an uplifting example of personal growth, accountability, and the enduring call of conscience. What began as a childhood mistake, influenced by a parent’s poor judgment, ultimately became a testament to one man’s integrity and desire to make things right.

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