Excursion around Foulness Island (15 miles)

I have cycled to the gates of the MOD facility on Foulness Island. Also, as documented in my companion blog, "Walk Geography" https://walk-geography.blogspot.com/, I have also looked across to the Island on my walks along the Crouch at Burnham-on-Sea, and around Wallasea Island. Various structures are visible, for example a tall tower, and a white half-dome. So, when I learned of a charity bike ride around the Island, organised by Southend Rotary, I jumped at the chance to have a look round.

Here is a map of the ride.

We started in a field on the outskirts of Shoeburyness (As well as the Island, the MOD site includes the barracks and facilities in Shoeburyness).

The Island is the site of numerous facilities for the testing of MOD weapons by live firing, hence it is unsurprising that access is strictly controlled. Our route was confined to the access road over the Havengore bridge, and onward to the village of Churchend, then a loop around via the hamlet of Courtsend, before returning along the access road.

We stopped at the Heritage Centre in the Old School at Churchend, where refreshments were available. There used to be up to 700 people living on the Island, mainly farming and fishing, hence the need for a school and a Church. Until the 1920's, the only way onto the island was via the Broomway across the sand flats exposed at low tide. Then, with Army activity increasing on the Island, a road bridge was built across the Havengore creek. Now about 200 people live in the cottages dotted about the island, and there are 7 tenanted farms.

Photography is forbidden, and I gained no more insights into the various MOD facilities passed on the ride, but it was satisfying to lay down a track on this difficult-to-visit blank on the map. And it was good that the entrance fee for the ride went to a very worthy cause - Macmillan Nurses. Congratulations to Rotary Southend for their efficient organisation and stewarding on the day.