Dozens of unexploded Second World War bombs discovered at playpark
Workers constructing a playpark in Northumberland have uncovered close to 200 unexploded Second World War bombs.
It's thought the area in Wooler was used as a Home Guard training ground and the munitions, which still contain a charge, were buried there at the end of the war.
Councillor Mark Mather from Northumberland County Council, who also sits on Wooler Parish Council, told Sky News' Sarah-Jane Mee about the discovery on The UK Tonight.
He said they got a call on 14 January from the contractors saying "they thought they'd discovered a bomb".
"We had to put a 50-metre cordon around the site," he said.
"The army bomb disposal team came out to the first one on the first day, and then the second bomb, the next day."
After that, they were told they would need to hire a private contractor - who found 65 bombs on their first day of work and another 90 the next.
"We're up to 176 of these [bombs], between nine and 11 and a half pound training devices."
He said as they still carry a charge they have to be treated as "potentially hazardous" live devices.
Work is continuing to make the site safe and the council plans to complete the playpark.
"We're going to make sure that once the team leave that we have a certificate to say that park's 100% safe," Mr Mather said.
The cost of hiring contractors to remove the devices is not cheap and brought extra concerns for the parish council, which Mr Mather sits on.
He said that the project to safely remove the munitions is estimated between £30,000 and 40,000, and Northumberland County Council have stepped in to fund the work.
And Mr Mather warned there is the potential for more finds of Second World War bombs and artefacts.
"We just don't know," he said, adding there was concern "different types of explosives or... World War Two memorabilia" could be found as the works continued.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
12 hours ago
- Wales Online
Couple trying to convert WWII water tower into seven-bedroom home hit problems
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A couple trying to convert a World War Two water tower into a seven-bedroom home say they "can't afford" to leave the project incomplete as they set up a GoFundMe appeal Sean Davies, 55, and Mary Davies, 57, bought more than an acre of land at the disused RAF Hospital Nocton Hall site for £25,000 in 2018. They took on the huge conversion of the 1940s water tower in Lincolnshire in 2021, armed with a £350,000 budget and hopes of creating their dream home with seven-bedrooms and four-bathrooms. However, the couple, who have five children and five grandchildren, have hit several obstacles along the way. They were forced to temporarily live in a caravan while the site was uninhabitable and install their own utilities, such as sewage treatment and drinking water. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now (Image: Family handout/PA Real Life) Unexpected renovation costs pushed them well over budget, so the pair set up a GoFundMe page for support to finish the build as they estimate the total cost will be £500,000. They say they "can't afford" to leave the project incomplete as they would be left with "nothing", reports the Manchester Evening News. Fortunately, the couple predict that the work will now be completed by the end of summer, with only the renovations on the top three floors of the five-storey tower and the installation of a sprinkler system remaining. But following Sean's diagnosis with motor neurone disease (MND) in March 2023, an incurable condition that progressively damages parts of the nervous system, they are eager to finish the project so he can enjoy the fruits of their labour before his condition worsens. Having previously lived in council properties, the couple were drawn to the RAF site by the abundance of space and privacy it offered, with more than an acre of land included in the sale. "When we arrive home, we go through the big military gates on the site and drive past all the derelict buildings," Sean said. "There's no street lighting, no public access, no neighbours - we're driving through history just to reach our home. He added: "When the site finally gets developed, the tower is very likely going to be the only bit which remains." Mary commented: "It's been part of the landscape for the locals since the 40s, it would have been a shame for that to have disappeared. "We're custodians to the water tower, I don't feel like we own it really and, one day, it will be passed onto someone else in the future when we've finished enjoying it." With strong connections to the site, Mary's father worked as a civilian electrician at the hospital and her significant other, Sean, was a patient there at the tender age of seven. Sean said they realised "it would be a fantastic build" if they decided to convert the tower, leading to their efforts to transform the 15m-tall structure into a seven-bedroom, four-bathroom residence. The main living spaces including the kitchen, lounge, office, gym, utility room, and a toilet are nestled in a modern glass extension, the bedrooms and bathrooms find their place within the tower itself. Mary explained the creation of the glass addition saying: "It was the only way we could get planning permission so it was a little more costly with the glass and the timber frame, but at the end of it we're going to have a seven-bedroom property," They also had to install their own utilities in the once uninhabited space, such as sewage treatment, filtration for drinking water and a heating tank. The tower itself is "not a huge space" width-wise, Mary said, but thanks to its height it has the potential for five floors, with two currently functioning as bedrooms and a bathroom, leaving three left to complete. "We're experiencing now what it's like to sleep in the tower," Mary revealed. "It's the perfect place for a restful sleep, it's absolutely brilliant, and it's a miracle we've been able to do this." To complete the renovation fully, the couple need to finish the tower's conversion, fit a sprinkler system, and round off any plastering, painting and decorating. (Image: Family handout/PA Real Life) After Sean was diagnosed with MND in March 2023 during the renovations, they are keen to finish the conversion by summer's end for him to "enjoy" their efforts before his condition deteriorates. Sean shared his experience with an experimental treatment drug called Tofersen, which he credits with helping manage his symptoms, such as weakness and muscle reduction, for around a year. "It's given us hope for a better future," Mary stated optimistically. Facing unexpected costs that stretched their budget, the couple set up a GoFundMe page, estimating the total spend on the conversion at about £500,000. "We're really grateful to everyone who has donated," said Mary, acknowledging the support they received. "You don't set up a GoFundMe page without a lot of thought and we're just trying to relieve some of the stress on us. "Once you start a project like this, you've got to finish it - you can't afford to not finish it because then you've got nothing."
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Peterborough WW2 veteran gets MBE days before 100th birthday
A World War Two veteran who was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) said "the heroes are lying in a cemetery, I was lucky".Geoffrey Roberts, 99, from Peterborough, was appointed for his charity work and his services to the commemoration of the Battle of was captured during the battle in September 1944, in which more than 8,000 British soldiers were killed, missing or taken Roberts, who turns 100 on Saturday, received his MBE from the Princess Royal at Buckingham Palace. "I'm surprised actually, I don't know what I got it for, I didn't do anything," he said."When I saw the letter, I thought someone was kidding me. I didn't have a clue; it was the last thing on my mind. I was very shocked and very overwhelmed." Mr Roberts was born in the Chelsea Barracks in London in 1925 and signed up in 17 September 1944, he flew into the Netherlands as part of Operation Market Garden - depicted in the 1977 Hollywood film A Bridge Too Far. It saw 35,000 British, American and Polish troops parachute or glide behind German was captured on September 26, with a German officer giving him some cigarettes and telling him, "for you, the war is over".He was sent to a prisoner of war camp and put to work in a coal mine until the end of the war. When asked how important it was that veterans continued to be recognised, he said: "It's very important, there's not many of us left, so it's very important, especially for the ones who didn't come home."The heroes are lying in a cemetery, I was lucky. I turned left when I should have turned right, so I'm still here." Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Abandoned UK village in the middle of nowhere left to rot for 80 years
A school building still stands with children's name pegs and examples of their work on the walls in what remains a poignant reminder of a village that once was Once home to thousands of residents, Tyneham in Dorset has been abandoned for over 80 years with many of its buildings completely untouched. Dubbed as Dorset's 'lost' village, Tyneham became a ghost town following an order that told residents to leave their homes by the British Army during the Second World War in 1943. A place with many memories is now used for army training exercises. According to Inside Dorset, a total of 225 residents from 102 properties were forced to up and leave, and given just 28 days to seek alternative accommodation in November 1943. The last residents left the following month, thinking they'd be able to return. Sadly, that never happened. The village is now owned by the Ministry of Defence, and it's often closed to the public except during the weekends and public holidays. From Monday to Friday, its doors closed to allow training ground for the Armoured Fighting Vehicles Gunnery School. The many homes holding dear memories have been badly damaged - but the village still stands. The church and the school buildings are still in great condition, and as per the site, there are still pegs with names of the children who attended the school, as well as examples of their school work. Abandoned for decades, the village still has a lot of history, going back to Iron Age Britain. Tyneham was once known for its salt-boiling, shale-turning and Purbeck Marble industries, which were important resources in the area. People can still visit Tyneham and it's free of charge but they are encouraged to leave donations at the car park to help fund the ongoing conversation work. Visitors can walk the old village and look at life as it once was, but there's nothing in place to resemble modern life. There aren't any shops, cafés or restaurants open, but there are designated picnic areas near the car park and at Tyneham Fam, where some of the buildings have been restored. Because Tyneham and Worbarrow are part of the Ministry of Defence Lulworth Ranges, which are known to be a living fire range, visitors have to stay within the safe zones. Still, it's a great place to visit, providing a unique experience by walking around areas once known for their liveliness. Worbarrow is only 20 minutes away from Tyneham by car and is also part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Spot. Since it's not overcrowded with tourists, it's the perfect place for those looking to reconnect with nature and simply relax.
