On Tuesday, August 19th, a mud encrusted munition was found on the ground beneath one of the aircraft on display outside the Museum. It was shell shaped and approximately 150 mm long by around 30mm in diameter. It had not been there the day before and the assumption was made that it had been thrown over the hedge by someone passing outside.
No chances were taken and the police were alerted. They, in turn, alerted the Bomb Disposal people and then evacuated the Museum, declaring a 100 mtr exclusion zone around the suspect item. In due course the experts arrived and, taking one look at it, declared it not to contain a charge and therefore safe. Their belief was that it could have dated back to WW1. It was unceremoniously driven off in their vehicle and the Museum briefly re-opened in what was left of the afternoon.
Our apologies to any visitors who were inconvenienced by this situation, which was outside the Museum’s control.
