This great pillbox was recenly discovered in some woodland in Rochford Borough in excellent condition. It is quite a good walk across some tractor trails across a field (all uphill). I am reluctant to give the exact location as too many pillboxes around this area are being badly vandalised and used as inequitous dens. If I can save one more from being totally vandalised, it will be worth it. Despite its remote and hidden location, even here there was evidence of some partying with the obligatory few beer cans. Other than that, the pillbox is in great condition with evidence that the warden of this particular wood is not letting it get completely overgrown. For instance, debris and leaves had been cleared out of the entrance.
I discovered the pillbox whilst searching for a spigot mortar emplacement that a member of staff at the local garden centre told me he thought was in this particular wood. No evidence of the spig, (as yet) but I could not believe my luck when I found this PB when straying slightly off the woodland path. I returned to the pillbox a few days later to show a friend of mine, Dave who found it equally interesting. (I mean, who wouldn't?)
What I also liked about this pillbox was the Tolkien-esque location: you can almost smell the essence of Treebeard, Galadriel et all in here.
As for the mythical spig, this seems a ridiculous place to have one, which leads me to wonder which came first, the woodland or the pillbox? All the other PBs in this area are in hedgerows or open fields on high ground: I imagine the original intention being to 'guard' RAF Rochford from glider landings. There was evidence of some roof 'disguise' which wouldn't have been needed if the pillbox was in woodland. Here is a picture that Dave took of me with a roof flake:
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