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Bomb Factory (ex-Royal Ordnance)

There is an important element of national defence in this area. Not so very long ago it did not appear on any map because it was classified secret.

They started building it in the 1939 They even dug a complete new river to supply it with water.

The old Royal Ordnance Factory, at Puriton, just outside Bridgwater is still there, and still in business. The river Huntspill, where so many fishermen ply their rods on a quiet afternoon, still supplies the plant.  And the very place where Sir Barnes Wallis famous bouncing-bombs (the ones designed to destroy the Ruhr dams) were fuelled with high explosive continues to produce highly sophisticated modern weapons. Yes, there are still secrets!

British Aerospace Systems now run the place. The large specialist workforce recruited in the 1940s is much reduced these days. But if you visit the little village of Woolavington  (extended considerably to provide accommodation in the early days) you could bump into some of  thebest bomb-makers in Britain, present and retired. They are, in every sense, specialists - after all there are not many legal jobs around that encourage people to work with high explosives !

The factory is modestly inconspicuous. Indeed you could pass it without noticing. Above ground there is not much to see. Much of the sensitive work takes place deep below the surface in reinforced chambers. The safety record of the plant is good.