Our Round Up Of 2024
2024 has been a dynamic and impactful year for Brimstone UXO. From record-breaking projects and rapid response deployments to new initiatives and team growth, we have continued to deliver on our mission to protect people, projects, and the environment from the dangers of unexploded ordnance.
2024 in numbers
This year, we completed over 600 risk assessments and handled upwards of 26,000 UXO finds safely, demonstrating the incredible reach and efficiency of our operations. Our team worked tirelessly across the country and beyond, conducting over 15,000 intrusive UXO probes and clocking in an impressive 48,000+ UXO engineer hours. With a strong focus on innovation, we surveyed more than 1,500 hectares using UAVs equipped with cutting-edge LiDAR and magnetometry systems, while also surveying an additional 1,250 hectares using traditional methods for projects that were unsuitable for our drones.
Brimstone welcomed over 130 new clients in 2024, contributing to an incredible 105% increase in order volume compared to the previous year. Our commitment to our people was equally strong, reflected in a remarkable 9/10 employee satisfaction score and £30,000 invested in employee CPD.
A year filled with great UXO finds and rapid responses
2024 began with several major UXO finds across the UK. In January alone, our teams deployed in Scotland, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire were involved in the discovery and handling of several unexploded ordnance items. A high-explosive projectile was discovered and safely disposed of in central Scotland, smoke mortars, high explosive mortars and a number 36 mills grenade were found in Lincolnshire and a 3″ ML mortar was uncovered at a site in Nottinghamshire.
These discoveries set the tone for what has been a year filled with significant UXO finds and demolitions, including 15,270kg of ordnance removed from the former air weapons range, RAF Cowden.
In July, we were again rapidly deployed to Scotland to dispose of over 80 ordnance items, demonstrating our capability for quick, efficient responses.
Finally, throughout 2024 we have provided continued support to a client in the Southeast with our teams successfully carrying out 19 rapid deployments, identifying and disposing of numerous dangerous UXO items through regular on-site demolitions.
Another busy year at Cowden
This year at Cowden, we continued to deliver on our mission to protect people and the environment from the unexploded ordnance contamination at Mappleton beach.
Over the course of 2024, our team safely disposed of more than 26,000 items of unexploded ordnance, bringing our total since starting on site to an incredible 201,000 UXO items removed. This year’s finds included a range of ordnance such as 30mm shots, BDU-33 and 3kg practice bombs, 4lb and 28lb practice bombs, 3” rockets, and anti-personnel solid shots.
Alongside our disposal work, we remained focused on ensuring the safety of beachgoers, local residents, and the surrounding environment. By working closely with Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), the local council, and Hornsea Inshore Rescue, we reinforced our commitment to protecting this beautiful stretch of coastline.
Our efforts have not gone unnoticed, with multiple visits from both local and national media this year – a topic we’ll delve into later in this blog. It’s been a rewarding year, and we’re proud to be making Cowden safer for everyone who lives, works, and visits here.
Brimstone in the press
2024 brought substantial media coverage for Brimstone UXO, with notable features in local, national and international outlets.
In March, we welcomed the German National Press to our site in Lithuania to see our UXO drone survey in action.
This was followed by the BBC joining us in April, to report on our ongoing ordnance clearance efforts at Cowden. Our Site Manager, Paul Duckworth MBE, highlighted the dangers of practice bombs, dispelling common misconceptions and raising public awareness of UXO risks. This crucial message was widely broadcast, gaining coverage on multiple BBC platforms, ITV, and other news outlets, helping to raise public awareness about the dangers of UXO.
With our work at Cowden making national headlines, we were delighted to then welcome the Telegraph to the former air weapons range in August, with them publishing a double page spread in their newspaper and promoting the story online.
However, it wasn’t just major news outlets interested in our work on the East Coast, as a lovely article was also published in the local Holderness Gazette, an independent publication that has been serving Holderness and the East Coast since 1910.
We wrapped up our 2024 press coverage with more features on the BBC, ITV, Plymouth Live and more, covering our collaborative work with Plymouth City Council, Devon and Cornwall Police, and military partners on a sensitive operation in Millbay. Together, we ensured the safe excavation of two anomalies beneath a car park, prioritising safety and minimising disruption for the local community.
Launching the Brimstone Members Club
At the Kent Construction Expo in October, we proudly introduced the Brimstone Members Club, set to launch officially in January 2025.
This exclusive club is more than just a mailing list – it will provide our clients with insider access to special offers, early news on new services, unique content, and exciting giveaways.
We’re looking forward to establishing closer connections with our community and offering meaningful value to our members. Keep an eye on our website and social media accounts next month for details on how you can sign up and gain your exclusive welcome discount.
Progress in Vilnius, Lithuania
This year, work has continued on our largest international UXO project to date. Back in 2023, Brimstone won a competitive tender to survey 1,300 hectares of land south of Vilnius, Lithuania, for a future military training ground. Despite challenging weather and variable site conditions, our surveys have uncovered numerous items of ordnance, ranging from sub-munitions and projectiles to large former Soviet practice bombs.
We are now in the process of surveying the final few hectares, ready to wrap up this project by the end of the year. However, our work in Lithuania isn’t done! As a result of our efforts on this military training area, we are continuing to secure more contracts in the country and have already started deploying our engineers to new sites, conducting UXO surveys with the aid of our cutting-edge drone technology.
This project has drawn attention from key figures, including the UK Defence Attaché and local politicians, who we’ve had the pleasure of hosting on site. It has also been featured in the Lithuanian and German press. We’re proud of the progress we’ve made and look forward to ensuring the safety and development of this critical region through our ongoing work.
Record-breaking intrusive survey in Tilbury, Essex
This summer, Brimstone commenced its largest-ever Intrusive UXO Survey in Tilbury, Essex, conducting an impressive 1,600 surveys on schedule and under budget. This complex operation showcased our commitment to meeting client expectations efficiently and reliably.
The southeast of England has a long history of military activity and was heavily targeted during World War II due to its strategic importance, resulting in widespread UXO contamination. This legacy stems from both German air raids, which dropped thousands of bombs across the region, and the extensive wartime defences and training activities conducted by Allied forces.
Fortunately, we didn’t find any items of ordnance on site, allowing our client to proceed with their ground intrusion works safely and confidently. However, just months after our work in Essex, a site not far from ours had to temporarily close due to the discovery of a 250kg German airdropped bomb! This find highlights the significant UXO risk in the area and why UXO services are so important.
Community engagement and sponsorships
Brimstone has continued to strengthen its commitment to the community this year through key sponsorships and charitable initiatives.
We proudly became the main sponsor of Crewe Alexandra Football Club’s training kit, a significant connection for our Founder and Managing Director, Aaron Florence, who grew up in Crewe. We are delighted to add this major partnership to our ongoing work in our local communities and look forward to seeing the team thrive on and off the pitch.
Alongside this, Brimstone sponsored the Kent Invicta Chamber Business Awards after winning Business of the Year in 2023. These awards bring together the business community, showcasing the amazing achievements of a range of businesses and talented individuals in Kent.
Finally, our staff have been taking part in a Christmas Foodbank Drive, collecting items to support those in need, reinforcing our dedication to giving back to the community.
Expanding the Brimstone Team
Finally, 2024 has been another year of growth for the Brimstone team. We launched our first ever UXO Graduate Scheme in November, along with recruiting for a new role of Data Scientist and expanding our existing research, commercial and engineering teams.
This focus on team development enables us to deliver top-tier UXO risk mitigation services while fostering a positive and supportive workplace culture.
Looking ahead to 2025
As we reflect on a year filled with achievements and milestones, we’re proud of the progress we’ve made. Brimstone UXO is committed to continuing our work in 2025, protecting people, the environment, and infrastructure from the risks of UXO.
You can keep up with our latest projects and news by following us on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), LinkedIn and YouTube, or get in touch to book your UXO services for 2025!
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