Notre Dame Lihou visit went with a bang
A PUPIL on a school trip to Lihou spotted unexploded ordnance yesterday.
The device was detonated safely by Guernsey Police’s bomb disposal team.
Notre Dame Primary School pupils spent two days in the island. It was one of Wednesday’s group who made the discovery.
Lihou warden Steve Sarre sent images of the device, which was about 10cms long, to police, who blew it up at 1.45pm yesterday.
‘We couldn’t get there initially because of the tide, but were sent photos, as is policy to do so,’ PC James De La Mare said.
‘When the tide allowed we located the ordnance, which possibly looked German or French, but it was difficult to say since it was quite rusted and fused to the rock. We got it detonated without having to touch it.
‘These items have been here for years and years, during which they have been subject to rock and tide bashings.
‘If they haven’t gone off yet they probably won’t, but it’s best to be safe.’
He urged people who found anything suspicious to tell police.
‘Really it was an exciting residential and the children have loved watching an unidentified explosive being detonated,’ said head teacher Mary Robertshaw.
Bomb disposal is within the school’s Lihou risk assessment.
‘It’s just one of those things and another day at primary school, although I’d quite like a quieter one next time.
‘A child pointed something out on the rocks while we walked by to unpack. I don’t know how they spotted it, it must have been a very eagle-eyed child in Year 4.’
Mr Sarre said he always did a briefing about ordnance once people get onto Lihou.
‘It was the most heavily fired on area and was great target practice for the army,’ he said.
‘While the British forces cleared over 200, many were left on the shingle.’
Daniella Gilligan was collecting her daughter.
‘I could hear a big cheer from the children as the explosion went off.’
Four Civil Protection officers were on the headland to keep people off the causeway.
Robbie Le Messurier had rented the house for a family holiday.
‘We got here not too long ago and found out we couldn’t cross because of unexploded ordnance, which was a bit of a surprise,’ he said.
