Sound mirrors installed for VE Day commemorations

A sound mirror art installation marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day and 90 years of radar technology has been erected on Dover's Marina Curve.

Echoes was designed by Penshurst artist Martin Barraud, who in 2016 designed the Standing Tommy which has since become a national symbol of Remembrance Day.

The interactive structure is made from corten steel and is situated between two existing concrete sound mirrors on Abbots Cliff, Capel Le Ferne and Langdon Cliff, Dover. It will remain there during VE Day commemorations and throughout the summer.

Mr Barraud said: "I have loved sound mirrors for years because they are beautiful, sentinel and steadfast."

He added: "As much as we should celebrate VE Day, I also feel we should listen to the echoes of the past."

Sound mirrors were once scattered along the south east coast.

They were used to listen for approaching aircraft before the first working radar system was installed at Orfordness in Suffolk by Robert Watson-Watt and Arnold Wilkins in May 1935.

Echoes was commissioned by Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI) in Aylesford and supported by private funding.

Lisa Farmer, chief executive of the RBLI, said: "We felt this design was complementary to the Tommy that RBLI so cherishes and loves.

"We wanted to make the story of our veterans come to life at this important time."

Ms Farmer added this might not be the end of the project.

"We didn't have enough time to manage a second one in France for this anniversary, but we hope to get that in place for next year," she said.

Diederik Smet, placemaking, events and partnerships manager at the Port of Dover, said: "They were looking for a location which would have fantastic views and be under the shadow of Dover Castle and the White Cliffs.

"Therefore Dover's Marina Curve was the ideal space which we were happy to offer."