Idyllic Isolation
2019
The Village of Orford, and neighbouring Shingle Street were described by author W.G Sebald as 'the most abandoned spot in the entire region' more than 25 years ago, and not much has changed since. What was once an area bustling with top secret military activity and hoards of speculation from the public about potential death rays, reports of UFOs and flaming corpses washing up on shore has now returned to its original state, cut off from and almost forgotten by the rest of the country. This project explores the coast of Suffolk, with a specific focus upon the little known hamlet of Shingle Street which sits less than 10 miles down the coast from the former military facilities positioned at Orford Ness, including its hidden beauty and its crucial role in the technical advances in modern warfare. These seemingly harmless landscapes are steeped in history and may harbour many secrets for years to come. During the Second World War the Suffolk Coast played a major role in the defensive and offensive planning to protect British shores. The remote coastal areas that now appear beautiful and tranquil were host to some of the most important military experimentation during the war.