England Stand - Blown away but not by a storm!

A bit of history fell down during the summer. Twickenham the home of Rugby South Stand was Blown Away to make way for the next stage of Twickenham development.

Before and After

Going, Going - Gone!

and after at the Middlesex Sevens - picture copyright of Claire

Twickenham Stadium’s 5,000 tone South Stand was demolished by a combination of advanced weakening and controlled use of 60kg of explosives.

Neighbours from 120 evacuated nearby homes were entertained at the stadium during the day and many watched the controlled demolition of the stand which took just six seconds to reduce to rubble, 90% of which is being used in the redevelopment.

The South Stand was opened by the then Minister of Sport, Sir Hector Munroe in January 1981with the first corporate boxes in the stadium, the Rose Room restaurant/conference facility able to cater for 400, and the original museum and library.

The new South Stand, with its London Marriott Hotel Twickenham and Virgin Active health club is expected to be completed in 2007.

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