THERE can’t be many places left in the world where not being local is a problem.
Foulness Island is one of them.
It’s not that the residents of the tranquil, estuary island and wildlife haven just nine miles from Southend aren’t friendly, it’s that you’re not actually allowed to go on there.
The public can only visit once a month to go to the island's museum and heritage centre.
This week the Echo revealed two "secret" islands neighbouring Foulness, and part of the Ministry of Defence land, Potton Island and Rushley Island are set to be sold off as they have been declared as “surplus to requirements” by the Government.
Foulness is also owned by the Ministry of Defence and so are all but a couple of the pretty weatherboarded and brick homes on the island.
For the 150 or so people who do live there, despite the restrictions, the coastal landscape with its open skies and endless views is the perfect place to settle. There’s hardly any crime, noise or pollution.
The church on Foulness (Image: File photo)
Yet Foulness is a paradox as all this beauty entwines with secretive ongoing weapons- testing carried out by the MOD which has given the island a reputation of mystery.
The general public can only visit once a month to go to the island’s much acclaimed museum and heritage centre.
Don’t think about wandering off to peruse the rest of the island though because you’ll be stopped.
Also, you need to visit checkpoint to get a pass before you even get on the island.
The only other chance to see the island’s delights comes with the annual charity Foulness bike ride or with the few and far between guided conservation walks that take place.
So what’s it like to live there?
Roderick Steward moved to Foulness in the mid-1990s. He grew up in Little Wakering and was the manager of a busy Southend casino at the time: “I wanted to de-stress and find somewhere peaceful to live,” said .
View from near Foulness (Image: Chris Jones)
”So when I heard about a house coming up for rent I enquired with the landlord as homes don’t come up very often here.
“It’s an amazing place to live. The nature and the peace and animals are just outstanding.
"I think it can trigger the creative side in people. It certainly has in me.
“Downsides are you have to go off the island to do a supermarket shop, the lack of amenities and the not so great mobile phone service.
"There is a bus on and off every day but you really need a car.”
Rod is testament to the islanders spirit of community.
As a gifted sculptor- something he does as a hobby- he wanted to bring residents together so he created a sculpture garden for his neighbours to mingle and chat.
He rented land on an old allotment and put together the social setting complete with several of his stunning marble creations.
Rod jokingly refers to his garden as “the fourth best tourist attraction on Foulness- narrowly beaten by the bus stop, a tree and a particularly nice shed.”
He said: “When I moved on here I didn’t know anyone so I put the sculpture garden together.
"We even added a pizza oven and it’s a relaxing place to socialise.
“I’d say Foulness is definitely a place where people look out for each other.”
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