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Site manager's hand grenade shock

Tuesday, June 30, 2009, 07:30

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A SITE manager has spoken of his shock at discovering that a piece of metal he was keeping on top of a filing cabinet was an unexploded Second World War hand grenade.

Martin Lee had been working for Wimpey Homes on a housing development in Alfreton Road, Derby, when the device was discovered during digging.

It was found on Friday and spent the weekend on top of a filing cabinet in his office until one of his workers said that it looked like a bomb he had seen on a television programme.

Yesterday, Mr Lee called the police, who sent for a bomb squad from Chilwell Barracks.

They destroyed the grenade in a controlled explosion at Derby Racecourse at about 12.15pm.

Mr Lee said: "We didn't know what it was. I thought it might have been a ball-cock because it was about the same size.

"It was on the filing cabinet over the weekend but we moved it out to the car park when we became suspicious. It's a mistake anyone could have made."

A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman said the 300g Mills hand grenade could easily be mistaken for a ball-cock.

She said: "Second World War ordinance is found regularly around the country.

"It's difficult to speculate on its blast range because it would depend where it landed – hard or soft ground, that kind of thing."

A police spokesman said Alfreton Road was closed for two hours while the grenade was moved to the Racecourse so it could be detonated in an open space.

He said people living and working in the area were told they could leave their homes if they wanted but that, once they had done so, they would not be allowed back in until the grenade was removed.

He said: "A cordon was set up for a 200m radius – which is a medium-risk.

"No-one was evacuated from their homes but about 60 people chose to leave."

Among those who could not return to work because of road blocks was Wendy Wilson, a delivery driver at PCS on Alfreton Road.

She said: "We were out making a delivery but were told we couldn't go back.

"Everyone inside the building worked as usual. They were told they could leave if they wanted to but the building wasn't evacuated."

PC Steve Reid, one of 10 officers manning the scene, said drivers had been told to find another route.

 

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Alfreton




Notes: Although this ex-coal town took a big hit when local mining died, it has come back fighting. The mines have been replaced by seven industrial estates which have created thousands of local jobs and Alfreton appeals to companies due to its location right next to the A38 and mere minutes from Junction 28 of the M1.

Alfreton is just 20 miles – or 30 minutes – from Derby, Nottingham and Sheffield, which has led to its growing popularity among commuters looking for affordable living costs but access to city opportunities.

Not that Alfreton is all about commuters and industry: this small, albeit fast-growing, town has rebuilt itself into a great place in which to live and work, and everything it has to offer is within walking distance.

There is half a mile of shops in the centre of Alfreton, ranging from independent stores like Bling to well-known names such as Argos, and a handful of central pubs.

There are also two shopping precincts, a pedestrianised area in Institute Lane, and the recent addition of a Tesco superstore which is half the size of a football pitch.

A recent council survey revealed that 80 per cent of residents said Alfreton was perfect for everyday needs.

Riddings Community Centre, opened by Princess Diana in 1992, plays an active role in the town's life.


Rail: Alfreton Station is just outside town on Mansfield Road and is on the Nottingham-to-Chesterfield line. There's also a daily service to London, and Manchester is just 90 minutes away.


Buses: There are great bus services, with a new bus station right next door to Tesco and several bus companies serving the town and neighbouring areas.


Shopping: Tesco dominates the town, but there are more than 150 other shops, mainly traditional and independent ones which have been in families for generations, and a few chain stores.

The shopping heart envelopes two shopping precincts in Severn Square and the pedestrianised Institute Lane. There is also an antique centre and an indoor market four days a week.


Eating and Drinking: Predominately pub food, but there are also some Chinese and Indian estaurants, and takeaways.

Traditional English food is available in a couple of good restaurants and pubs in the town centre.


Sports and Leisure: Alfreton Leisure Centre, in Church Street, is undergoing a massive multi-million pound refurbishment. It offers all kinds of activities, including a six-lane bowls hall, dancing and fitness classes, a gym and a sports hall for badminton, football and basketball.

Alfreton Park, just off the town centre, has some pretty walks and activities close at hand.

There are plenty of local sports clubs in Alfreton including football, ladies' football, cricket, golf, sub aqua and tennis.














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