A Rapid and Expert Response

Brimstone UXO mobilised to site on 14th January 2025. Although initially scoped as a two-day survey, the volume and concentration of munitions found by our team required the work to be extended over several weeks.
On the first day alone, our team identified and recovered 65 British 10lb practice bombs from a single one-square‑metre pit, along with associated military scrap metal. Despite being classified as practice munitions, they still contained hazardous components and therefore required careful, controlled recovery through delicate hand digging techniques.

By the end of the second day, the excavation area had expanded to two square metres and 90 practice bombs had been safely recovered.

“What we noticed is that they were uniformly placed and stacked in rows,” explains Adam Tanner, Brimstone’s Associate Director. “They were clearly placed here carefully and deliberately.”

Given the high density of items found, the survey area was progressively expanded over the following three weeks. Brimstone UXO engineers Adam, Stew and Colin conducted a systematic investigation across the entire playpark. Using handheld detection equipment, they carefully mapped and excavated each signal, ultimately identifying and safely recovering a total of 175 practice bombs plus military scrap metal.

Comprehensive UXO Disposal

Once all items had been certified as free from explosives and recovered, our EOD engineers removed them from the site for safe disposal in accordance with current industry standards. Brimstone UXO subsequently issued an ALARP certificate to Wooler Parish Council, confirming that the UXO risk had been reduced to a tolerable level. This allowed construction of the new playpark to resume without further delay, ensuring that the redevelopment could progress safely for the benefit of the local community.

A Military Legacy Beneath Our Feet

Research undertaken by our team highlighted Wooler’s strategic role during the Second World War. The town formed part of an anti-tank stop line and contained several military facilities, including a command post at the Ryecroft Hotel and Camp 105, a prisoner‑of‑war camp that housed both Italian and German personnel. A short distance from the site was RAF Milfield, an A-class airfield used for pilot training and ground‑attack exercises in preparation for the Normandy landings. Historical aerial imagery from 1984 also showed Nissen huts in the vicinity of the current playpark, suggesting a prolonged military presence in the area.

It is therefore likely that the recovered practice bombs originated from historic training activity or post‑war disposal operations. Brimstone UXO’s research suggests that Wooler may have served as a storage or disposal location for munitions cleared from surrounding ranges, or that ordnance was transported from RAF Milfield and subsequently buried.

Global Headlines and UXO Risk Awareness

The Wooler discovery attracted widespread media attention, featuring in national and international news outlets including BBC News, Sky News, ABC, Fox News, The New York Times and The Washington Post. The level of coverage underlines the continued relevance of UXO risks across the UK and the need for professional assessment and mitigation.

UXO can remain buried and undetected for decades, and the Wooler case demonstrates that even relatively small projects in rural locations can uncover significant remnants of wartime activity. Comprehensive UXO risk mitigation not only safeguards communities but also ensures development works can proceed safely and without costly interruption.

If you require support with UXO risk management on your project, please contact Brimstone UXO on 020 7117 2492 or email enquire@brimstoneuxo.com.