Wishing You A Happy Christmas Holiday

As the festive season approaches, many of us are preparing to shut down laptops, pack away tools, and clock off for a well-deserved Christmas holiday. Whether you’re heading home to loved ones, enjoying a quiet break, or celebrating with colleagues, we hope you have a safe, happy, and restful holiday season. It’s also a time to reflect on the year’s challenges and successes – and here at Brimstone UXO, we have plenty to look back on with pride.

A greener festive season

Positive change doesn’t take a holiday – especially when it comes to sustainability. This year, we’ve embraced a greener approach by switching to e-cards instead of traditional paper ones. Not only are they vibrant and creative, but they also reduce our environmental impact – one of the many steps we’re taking as a carbon-neutral company.

We’re proud to have achieved full carbon neutrality in June 2022, thanks to our partnership with Carbon Neutral Britain™. Through their offsetting projects, we’ve significantly reduced our emissions while contributing to initiatives that promote safety, equality, and better living conditions. From renewable energy installations to reforestation efforts, these projects help create a safer and more sustainable future – values that align perfectly with our own mission.

As we all strive to reduce our carbon footprints, it’s worth remembering that climate change can directly impact UXO safety. Unstable weather patterns can cause landslides, displacing unexploded bombs and forcing people into hazardous areas. In some cases, extreme temperatures can even destabilise munitions, increasing the risk of accidental detonation. So, while you’re enjoying your Christmas break, know that your ongoing commitment to reducing emissions contributes to a safer world for all.

Christmas on the frontline: UXO clearance doesn’t stop for the holidays

For UXO specialists, Christmas isn’t always a time of peace and quiet. Our teams have been called out over the holiday season in previous years, responding to hazardous ordnance discoveries to keep communities safe.

In 2020, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was called out on Christmas Day to examine a wartime munition on a Portsmouth beach. After assessing the risk, they carried out a controlled explosion, allowing local residents to continue their festivities safely.

Similarly, in Augsburg, Germany, the 2016 Christmas holiday was anything but conventional. A 1.8-tonne Second World War bomb was unearthed during a construction project, forcing the evacuation of 54,000 people on Christmas Day – the largest post-war evacuation in German history. While the public celebrated with their families elsewhere, over 2,500 personnel worked tirelessly to clear the area and safely defuse the bomb. Their dedication to creating a truly safe environment is nothing short of inspiring.

Celebrating a year of success

As we reflect on the past year, we’re immensely proud of what Brimstone has achieved. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our expert teams, we’ve successfully cleared 49 metric tonnes of UXO – making construction sites, communities, and coastal areas significantly safer.

One of our most significant projects this year has been at the former air weapons range at RAF Cowden. Now in the second year of a four-year contract, our specialists have worked tirelessly to clear the site of practice bombs, many of which continue to wash up on Mappleton Beach due to coastal erosion. With an estimated 300,000 munitions on the site, our disposal experts are playing a vital role in reducing the risk to the public and protecting the environment.

Beyond the UK, we’ve also supported international UXO clearance efforts. This year, our team collaborated with the HALO Trust in Israel – a global humanitarian organisation committed to removing explosive remnants of war. Our advanced explosive engineers provided quality assurance, helping to ensure safe and effective demining operations that will allow local communities to rebuild and thrive.

Looking ahead to the New Year

As we head into the new year, we remain committed to making the world a safer place, both at home and abroad. Whether it’s clearing dangerous ordnance from British construction sites or supporting international demining initiatives, our goal remains the same: to protect lives and pave the way for safer, more sustainable development.

From all of us at Brimstone UXO, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thank you to our clients, partners, and staff for your trust and support throughout the year. We look forward to continuing to serve you in 2023 and beyond.

Brimstone UXO: experts in explosive safety

We specialise in UXO mitigation services across the UK, offering everything from risk assessments to bomb disposal. To learn more, visit our website or get in touch with our team today.

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