Paglesham, East End, sea wall, 2016

I’ve been coming to this spot for a few years now, as it affords a great view of the River Roach, and Potton Island on the other side. Further east from this point the land is owned by the Ministry of Defence (Qinetiq) and is out of bounds to most people most of the time. It therefore has a mythical quality about it, and peeking in from the Paglesham side of the Roach is about as near as you can get. Also here are the disused oyster beds, which were once prevalent in this area, and the resting place of the Beagle, the ship on which Darwin sailed around the world (an anchor resides in Rodney’s garden just up the road).

It’s also very peaceful here, so I came to record the quietness of this place on this warm summer’s evening. I set up in the grass on top of the sea wall and was pleased as the rustling of the wind in the grass and a variety of birds, including coots and oystercatchers, provided an accompaniment of summer sounds. But then, a familiar and rather incongruous sound drifted across on the wind…the sound of feedback, guitar and amplifier, voice and PA system. What the…? I continued to record but obviously had to go and investigate on the way back… (Stay tuned for the next recording!)