Sort-of sound mirror related, but adults only…
There is some discussion in the associated forum about the mathematics of mirror shapes, for those of us who have long-since forgotten the difference between a parabolic curve and an elliptical one.
Author: Andrew Grantham
Kilnsea sound mirror information
Hull Online has some information on the Kilnsea acoustic mirror.
Listening for the enemy
Listening for the Enemy is the title of an article about sound mirrors by Brian Dillon in Cabinet Magazine issue 12, fall/winter 2003/04.
Abbot’s Cliff photo
A dramatic black and white photo of the sound mirror at Abbot’s Cliff looking west, taken recently by Eric Jones.
A sound mirror of your own!
The Selsey acoustic mirror, known locally as the listening post
is up for sale, with a guide price of £120 000 freehold.
Described as Of Non Traditional Construction and Grade II Listed, this property of some historical interest is in need of totally updating.
. From what I remember of my visit, the estate agent’s description is pretty much spot on!
It offers
Kitchen, Sitting Room, Bedroom, Bathroom. There are Surrounding Gardens, a basement ideally used as a workshop and a Garage. Vacant Possession.
Surrounding gardens which are currently overgrown with brambles, enclosed by fencing.
Selsey would be a bit inconvenient for me, and having just bought a house, I’ve no plans to do it all again!
This mirror is rather interesting, in that there is very little information about it floating around. The design is similar to the First World War era mirrors in the northeast. A couple of years ago when I spoke to Richard Scarth, author of Echoes from the Sky he said he’d not been to Selsey to see this one, and didn’t know much about it.
The Selsey Community Website says
The Listening Post was in April 1999 recognised as a Grade 2 Listed building. During the 1st World War a listening post was built in Selsey at East Beach to provide early warning of approaching Zepplins. The structure took the form of an “acoustic mirror” which was built of concrete and shaped like a modern satellite dish. The structure survived and is currently the subject of great interest due to its rarity.
Mirrors from the railway
Last weekend I went down to the 80th anniversary celebrations at the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway, and in passing confirmed that it is possible to get a distant glimpse of the 200′ listening ear at Denge from a train, if you know where to look.
The Hythe mirror is rather more clearly visible, and is shown in the background of a painting of the RH&DR’s armoured train which is being sold as a postcard.
Acoustic mirrors at Our Past History
Our Past History has a detailed article on sound mirrors, and another page covering the ruins of the mirror, pillboxes and other military remains at Warden’s Bay on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent.
Abbot’s Cliff sound mirror pictures
Eugene has sent me three nice photos of the Abbot’s Cliff sound mirror, on the white cliffs near Folkestone.
The Abbot’s Cliff mirror is at grid reference TR27083867, between Folkestone and Dover. It is very easy to find, simply follow the tarmac path along the cliff top, and you can’t really miss it (it is a great big block of concrete, after all!). It is a five to ten minute walk from the Folkestone – Dover road.
Redcar sound mirror – the motion picture
There is a short video about Redcar’s acoustic mirror on YouTube.
2007 guided walks to the Denge sound mirrors
Because they are on an island surrounded by the waters of a deep gravel pit, the sound mirrors at Denge are only accessible on guided walks (believe me, this is true, I’m not making it up!).
Dates of guided walks are listed on the Romney Marsh Countryside Project website. I’ve been twice, and the “Echoes from the Sky” walks, led by Dr Scarth, author of the now out-of-print book and world expert on acoustic mirrors, are well worth doing – and very popular. Getting there by public transport requires a bit of planning, but is possible. Alternatively, the walks start from a large car park.