German World War Two bombs found at Cotswolds wedding venue

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 3 Nov, 20:17 · Archive

Seven German World War Two bombs were discovered in a field at a Cotswolds wedding venue near Tetbury on Monday morning.

Seven German World War Two incendiary bombs were discovered in a field at the Great Tythe Barn, a wedding venue near Tetbury, on Monday morning. Construction workers found the items at around 9.50am while digging trenches for a new solar farm. Police and an Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team were called to the site.

The surrounding area was evacuated after the discovery. A 200-metre exclusion zone was established for public safety. The venue, which was hosting around 12 workers at the time, was closed. Guests departing from a wedding held the previous day were also evacuated. The Monarch's Way footpath, which runs alongside the affected area, was closed to walkers.

The Army's disposal team identified the discovered items as German incendiary bombs weighing 1kg each. The ordnance was destroyed in two controlled explosions, which took place around 3.30pm on Monday. Witnesses reported hearing a large bang and seeing dark smoke and debris, with a chemical smell lingering afterwards.

Gloucestershire Police confirmed that a controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance had taken place and that the precautionary cordon was removed once the operation concluded. An Army spokesperson stated that the team from 721 Squadron, 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Search Regiment Royal Logistic Corps had responded to the incident at the request of Gloucestershire Police.

The Great Tythe Barn confirmed it reopened in the evening of Monday, November 2, after the bombs were successfully detonated. The venue was expected to resume normal operations the following day.

How it is being reported

• See German WWII bombs which resulted in explosions at Cotswold wedding venueA WEDDING venue on the edge of Tetbury was due to be getting back to normal today (Tuesday, November 3) after German World War II bombs were discovered in its grounds.Wilts & Glos Standard · 3 Nov, 17:05
• Five suspected WW2 bombs at wedding venue detonatedThe area around the Great Tythe Barn had to be evacuated after suspected World War Two bombs were found.BBC Gloucestershire · 3 Nov, 16:31
• SEVEN World War Two bombs found at Cotswolds wedding venueA 200m cordon was in place after the items were discovered by construction workersGloucestershire Live · 3 Nov, 13:10

In this story: Great Tythe Barn · Tetbury · Gloucestershire Police · Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal · Cotswolds

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log