ROF 59
MEMORIAL TO OUR WAR EFFORT
Aycliffe Business Park probably wouldn’ t be around today if it wasn’ t for the famous Royal Ordnance Factories which were built here- before the new town of Newton Aycliffe was created- in the 1940s.
ROF 59 was the MoD’ s top-secret codename for the group of factories in Aycliffe, where people who’ d later be dubbed the‘ Aycliffe Angels’ risked their lives every day. The huge munitions factories employed some 17,000 workers, mostly women, between 1941 and 1945 and was an extremely important part of the country’ s war effort. The work was highly dangerous as the women filled bullets and bombs for the boys in the battlefield. There were a number of serious and fatal explosions, with eight women being killed in one blast. Few official records of these accidents exist, perhaps because of the secrecy surrounding the plant, which was infiltrated by several German spies during the War. It’ s a vitally important piece of British history and Aycliffe heritage which is being brought back to life by the work of Finley Structures. We acquired the old Presswork Metals factory on Aycliffe Business Park more than two years ago. Almost £ 600,000 has been spent on constructing a new 70,000 square foot facility on the site, which has stood empty for more than six years. A further £ 300,000 is to be invested in the fit out of the facility, including a trampoline park, cafe, restaurant and bar, and the facility will also include one of the biggest climbing walls in the country, standing at 20 metres tall, while Rockantics are moving from the town centre to be incorporated into the project. Now, as we approach the 70th anniversary of the end of hostilities, Finley Structures has revealed exciting plans which will help to preserve the building’ s war-time history. We’ ve officially named the complex ROF 59, standing for Royal Ordnance Factory 59, and staff working there, about 20 of them, will wear overalls, like the Aycliffe Angels did all those years ago. Part of an old railway line, used to transport the munitions to the main railway line which was uncovered during foundation works, will be incorporated into other memorabilia features including a model spitfire and archive photographs from back in the day. Julie Finley said:“ We recognise the important historical significance of the factory and the Aycliffe Angels who used to work there, so we have deliberately retained much of the original brickwork and signage within the building.“ The plan is to create a permanent memorial, and help us to keep educating young people about this important piece of British history.“ Aycliffe Business Park probably wouldn’ t exist today without the Royal Ordnance Factories, and we feel it’ s important to preserve that heritage for many years to come.” Consultant Kim Fryer, of Newton Aycliffebased KF Restaurant and Hospitality, has already been appointed by Finley Structures to manage the restaurant development, and
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