HIDDEN away and protected from most of the world is a quiet island community that so few even know exists.

The tight-knit community of Foulness Island lives just a short distance from the packed beaches and hustle of Southend.

Under the close eyes of Ministry of Defence bosses, the island is a 6,000-acre nature magnet of scrub and marshland.

Despite the authority keeping it under wraps, it has attracted some very special visitors.

Last month saw the Earl and Countess of Wessex, Prince Edward and his wife Sophie drop into the Heritage Centre on the island.

The island’s pub, George and the Dragon, was originally three cottages but shut in 2007.

Residents say they have enjoyed an idyllic life on the island for many years.

Mary Reeve lives in the former St Mary the Virgin Church.

She said: “We’ve been here about 22 years and life here is much like that of others now in the coronavirus lockdown. It’s secluded and we are surrounded by water and countryside, two things we love.

“It was great as a family home too, as we knew we were all safe, as the island has 24 hour security.

“We have supermarket deliveries and I go to Great Wakering for a lovely butcher.

“We don’t want or need to be elsewhere, it’s fantastic.

“When my children were young their friends wanted to stay for longer and our grandchildren say the same.

“It’s like something out of a story book, we have chickens and horses and don’t need for anything.”

The couple are planning on converting the Grade II Listed church into a five-bedroom home but say they want to keep it looking the same from the outside.

Neil Hookway, Friends of Rochford councillor for Foulness and The Wakerings, said for some on the island life has hardly changed.

He said: “It’s special as it’s MOD land and has a certain amount of protection due to that.

“It is also preserved and there are some very old buildings.

“Priestwood Farm is one such building, it’s one of the oldest buildings on the island. The MOD protects some of the buildings and has a program to look after the structures.

“Some of these buildings are restored and rented out for people to live in.

“It’s somewhere people want to move to.

“It’s so peaceful and quiet and so there is no real crime with the security there.

“There is a small community and people know each other.

“There is about 150 people on the island, including children.

“Some people have lived there all their lives.”

For nearly a century, the MoD has used Foulness as a testing centre for military weapons, propelling all manner of deadly devices into the Maplin Sands.

Killer grenades, explosive shells and guided missile systems all have their destructive capabilities assessed here by clipboard-clutching boffins, ahead of rubber-stamping and delivery to global war zones. Atomic weapons were also on the agenda in the 50s.

Mr Hookway said some of the island residents are looking for a more modern life, while others love the tranquility.

The councillor said: “The most sad loss was the closure of the pub and post office, which were probably two most important centres of the community.

“There are now no shops there and people who need to travel must own a car to get about.”

Foulness’s main attraction is the old school house.

It closed in 1988 when just 11 pupils turned up for classes but has been transformed into the island’s heritage centre, offering a restricted visiting window to non-islanders on the first Sunday of every month, between April and October.

This two-roomed building, originally built in 1846, is packed full of glass display cases showing off archaeological finds dating back to the Roman era, unearthed by Foulness’s volunteer answer to Time Team.

Cracked urns, mole traps, tools, wedding gowns, gas masks, bone buttons and musket lead shots from the Napoleonic period fill the cabinets.

Robin Dray, chairman of Rochford District Council, said: “I have been to the island for special events and visits such as when Prince Andrew came along.

“It’s such an interesting place.

“The heritage centre is wonderful and I’d recommend anyone with an interest in the island visit the centre.

“From my times and visits I’ve seen a thriving community and people like living there.

“There is work by the MoD that should be kept secret which is why it’s not known.”

Surrounded by the Rivers Crouch and Roach, plus the North Sea, Foulness may be out of bounds to most civilians but it has working farms, producing wheat, barley, peas and

linseed.