ROF Featherstone, Staffordshire, Dec 2013

[suburbankarma]

Decided to head up to Staffordshire on a sunny weekend morning with my usual mooching partner. Set off mid morning and after satnav tried several times to send us down the M6 toll road we arrived in Featherstone, spotted a likely parking spot and strolled in. We paid the price of setting off late as we only managed to get half way round the site before losing the light. Anyone that knows this place (I think most people have wandered around here at some point) will know it's pretty trashed but I have to say we really enjoyed a leisurely 4 hours just taking photos and enjoying the peace and quiet. Did wonder what had killed the four dead chickens (?) we came across on the way in as they didn't have a mark on them. Sunday roast anyone ? Will no doubt be returning at some point soon to see the bits we missed.

A bit of history pilfered from here and there...

Royal Ordnance Factory Featherstone was filling factory No.17, covering just over 64 hectares, the factory used to specialise in filling various munitions, including, Bombs, Shells, Smoke and Cartridges.

It served a major role in WW2 but since then has remained derelict, at some point BAE Systems took over the site (which then turned to ROSM Featherstone) and kept the majority of the buildings but sold off 13 hectares to HMP Service who have now constructed a prison on the remains of certain parts of the site.

It was shut down around 2000 due to the public learning about what they actually used in production after a fire. The factory produced high end military gear such as penetrators for cruise missiles made from Tungsten, the factory also produced weapons made from depleted uranium (the reason why it shut down). I think this part of the site has now disappeared under the new prison.

Now for the pics...

Stokers used to turn tungsten powder into its metal form

Happy Christmas and thanks for looking

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[seaside_rambler]

Looks a good wander that, and some interesting ammo history! Thanks for sharing

 

[skeleton key]

Cool pics and nice write up there as the place certainly has quite a history.

I heard ATO spent quite some time sweeping the place when closed.

Thanks for the share bud like that

 

[suburbankarma]

Cool pics and nice write up there as the place certainly has quite a history.I heard ATO spent quite some time sweeping the place when closed.

Thanks for the share bud like that

Thanks SK, found a 150 page report on the place by staff.gov.uk, not so much about the history of the place but the site in general. Makes for an interesting read if you like that kind of thing http://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/pdf/Report%20of%20Development%20Management%20Manager.pdf

 

[Lara]

Looks a cracking mooch does that, very interesting! Thanks for sharing

 

[shaddam]

Looks like a looovely wonder , cheers

 

[Stussy]

Nice collection of pics, shame most military stuff is severely decayed, always makes for a excellent adventure though.