The community spirit of Falmouth has been praised following an operation to remove a World War Two bomb from the docks. Emergency services took the suspected 250lb (115kg) American "air-dropped" device out to sea, where navy bomb experts will leave it for six days before returning to dispose of it. The operation set up a 755m (2,477ft) cordon, leading to more than 300 homes being evacuated, with a help centre for displaced residents set up at All Saints' Church.
Thalia Marrington, Cornwall Council's portfolio holder for public safety, said everyone playing their part and following the guidance issued helped the operation run smoothly. She said some of the stories she heard from the church, where people were given refreshments and sang songs together, put a "smile on her face". "I just want to thank the community of Falmouth and absolutely everybody involved," Marrington said. "Having everyone playing their part enables the emergency services to get on as quickly as they can with the bit that they need to do. People might not think that people might be vulnerable because they think 'oh I'll be out of my house for a few hours, it'll be fine', but some people really can't do that."
Laurie Magowan, Labour councillor for Falmouth Arwenack, said it had been a "fairly traumatic week" for the town but there was a huge amount of relief and gratitude to everyone who helped. "When we all woke up on Monday morning, we couldn't have envisioned the activity and excitement that's taken place in the first half of this week," he said. "I think everyone's really pleased that the operation's gone successfully and how well the community's responded to the incident and come together to support one another. I guess it's times like these where people can and do demonstrate the real value that they have for their neighbours and community."
Karen Cohen, who volunteered at the church, said her work during the day involved "being a human being talking and reassuring others who were quite anxious". "We all go through periods of anxiety and stress during our lives, but certainly this is a major incident and people need to feel safe," Cohen said. "By having the church opened up with people able to support others and just have a chat with them and offer them teas and coffees, it just gives them that place where they feel that they are safe."
Cornwall Council leader Leigh Frost thanked everyone involved in the bomb removal and evacuation operations. Speaking during a cabinet meeting, Frost said: "I would like to thank residents for their co-operation and patience, as well as staff from the council and across all partner services who have reacted and supported the operation."
Community Spirit Praised After Falmouth Bomb Evacuation