Secret Nuclear Bunker and Ongar Walk

Sunday 19th January 2014 saw 15 intrepid EFOGers embarking on a mission to visit the Secret Nuclear Bunker at Kelvedon Hatch. This was well hidden (except for the not-so-secret big signs directing visitors to it). It was a very interesting - if chilling - experience with an informative self-guided tour using Outside the bungalow-disguised entrance to the bunker'wands' which gave information along 23 separate locations along the route. The bunker was originally built in the 50's and went through various incarnations and was finally designed for use by the government - not the likes of you and me - to shelter in and 'run' the country in the event of a nuclear attack during the cold war period.Efob-bits emerging from the bunker It should form part of every child's education, just to remind people that this must NEVER happen and that, in reality, a self-made shelter under the dining room table with a few doors removed from their hinges and mattresses piled on top is really quite inadequate in the midst of a nuclear war! We had a quick bite to eat in the canteen after the tour and then drove on to Ongar to commence a short walk of about 3 1/2 miles.

Leaving Ongar at the start of the walkThe walk (rather muddy and slippery at times) took us along the Essex Way to the wooden church at Greensted and from then along paths and bridleways through farmland and woods back in a circle to Ongar. The lovely little old church at Greensted is fascinating, dating back to Anglo-Saxon times and is reputedly the oldest wooden church in the world. It even has a grave of a crusader in the cemetery.

Trying to avoid the mud at a kissing-gate

 St Edmund's body (of Bury St. Edmunds fame) was allegedly rested there on the way to his burial (in Bury St. Edmunds) after he was murdered by many arrows and decapitation. Paul tells us that a wolf is also involved in the tale somewhere along the line - guarding the head until it was found so that it could be buried along with the body. The church did a good trade with members buying several jars of the homemade jams, pickles and preserves which were on sale. We carried on our trail afterwards, with some members looking at times as if they were competing in Dancing on Ice. We met, and talked to along the way, 2 lovely ponies and a rather pretty hairy pig in a small paddock munching her Sunday lunch of leeks and other vegetables. The birds were singing in the hedgerows, the weather was beautiful and the sunset as we drove home was spectacular.

Greensted Church - the oldest wooden church in the world

It was a bit muddy underfoot at times

Lynne E.    22nd January 2014