Update on Legacy Ordnance find at Scotts Park, Wooler
The Parish Council engaged Brimstone Site Investigations to conduct the initial survey of the play area to identify if there were any further ordnance still buried within the playpark.
Brimstone responded quickly and attended site on 23rd January, initially for a 2 day survey but it soon became apparent that the scale of the problem was far greater than anyone had anticipated.
On the first day of works, a further 65 10lb practice bombs were recovered in an area less than 1m sq with smoke cartridges also being recovered from the same pit. Whilst this ordnance is described a practice bombs, they do still carry a charge and given the numbers involved, need to be recovered by professionals to satisfy all concerned that the playpark area is once again safe for contractors and ultimately users of the equipment. (As these have been found with their fuse and contents still intact – and the detonator burster and smoke filling in-particular can still be potentially hazardous)
These were removed and secured in a safe area and works continued the next day despite the stormy weather.
By the end of day 2 the pit had been extended to 2m sq and a further 90 practice bombs had been recovered, and these were safely removed to the designated storage area. Due to the large amount of ordnance buried, the site survey could not be completed in the anticipated 2 days and a further deployment would be necessary. Thanks are extended to NCC highways team for the loan of 3 grit bins to provide a safe storage unit for the removed devices.
Over the weekend, the Joint Commander at the Aldershot barracks was contacted to see if they would dispose of all the ordnance recovered and whilst sympathetic and offering advice, could not commit to any financial support either in services or disposal.
Due to the concerns of the Parish Council of the rising costs, contact was made via County Councillor Mark Mather to a Director at NCC to explore what financial help the County Council could offer.
The Parish Council are extremely grateful and relieved that Northumberland County Council have offered to cover the current estimates for a further 2 week deployment of Brimstone personnel during which time it is hoped to complete the survey and recovery of any further devices. This will allow certification of a clear site, and will allow us to reinstate the ground in order that Playdale Contractors can return in April.
Councillors would like to thank Ann-Marie Trevelyan for her help and advice on who best to contact at the MOD, Northumberland County Council officers and staff who went above and beyond especially during the storm to provide the equipment needed and the Chief Executive and Directors of NCC for their financial support and County Councillor Mark Mather for the many
weekend telephone calls gathering much needed information.
NCC spokesperson: "The County Council has been pleased to support the town and the local community in progressing this new facility which will be a great asset for both local residents and visitors, as part of the regeneration package delivered in the town alongside the new Ad Gefrin distillery and other improvements.
Clearly this find was unexpected but we are pleased to have been able to find the extra funding to allow this crucial work to be done safely."
Some of the recovered items
What they would originally have looked like.