In brief
Discovery of WWII-era practice bombs beneath a children's playground in Northumberland prompts thorough investigation and potential for more explosives to be unearthed.
In a surprising turn of events, over 150 World War II practice bombs have been uncovered under a children's playground in Wooler, Northumberland. The alarming discovery occurred during a renovation project at Scotts Park, prompting safety concerns from local authorities about the presence of additional explosives below the surface.On January 14, construction workers reported finding a "suspicious object" while digging, later identified as a practice bomb—an inert type of ordnance utilized for training purposes though still capable of causing harm. Following the initial discovery, the Wooler Parish Council enlisted Brimstone Site Investigations, experts in unexploded ordnance, to conduct a thorough investigation.What began as a two-day survey on January 23 quickly revealed a much more extensive problem. On the first day, Brimstone discovered an additional 65 practice bombs, each weighing around 10 pounds, along with smoke cartridges. The second day of operations yielded another 90 practice bombs that were subsequently removed for storage.The Ministry of Defense has since mandated a comprehensive examination of the site. Though classified as practice bombs, these devices "do still carry a charge," and their removal requires specialized handling. Notably, the fuses and contents of the bombs have been found intact, indicating a potential safety hazard.Mark Mather, an official in Wooler, expressed his shock, illuminating the gravity of the situation by stating, "It’s quite something to think the children have been playing on bombs." He underscored Wooler's historical significance as a training location for the Home Guard during the war, suggesting that post-war practices may have led to the burying of leftover ordnance in the area.While the Ministry of Defense has conducted two site visits thus far, further details remain undisclosed. Moving forward, the Wooler Parish Council hopes to resume construction efforts in April, contingent upon the site's safety clearance. As investigations continue, concerns linger regarding the potential for more bombs lying in wait beneath the playground.
