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Sound Mirror Exclusive Art & Photography Day at RSPB Dungeness

RSPB Dungeness is proud to welcome you back to the enigmatic island of the Sound Mirrors in 2022.

Alongside our Sound Mirror open days for 2022, we are pleased to launch the start of our special Art & Photography days at the Sound Mirror island for the reserves 90th Birthday. These days will cater to those creative individuals who seek to gain exclusive access to the island for personal projects, whether that is photography or videography, sound recording, painting, poetry, writing and research or something completely different - these events will be significantly limited in number compared to the open days, so you can focus on your project and have space to get creative.

Please note that this event is strictly for non-commercial and individual projects. If you are seeking commercial or private access to the Sound Mirrors, please contact dungeness@rspb.org.uk to discuss your needs further, prior to booking.

Nestled on this island, you will discover the three spectacular relics of a pre-World War 2 acoustic aerial defence system, built to sound the alarm against enemy planes crossing the channel. Their secretive island retreat is the only location in the world where you can see all three designs in one place.

From 10am to 4pm, document the listening dishes without worrying about the crowds. Have the space to capture and create, whilst immersing yourself in the history and captivating engineering of the Mirrors. Meet other likeminded people, share ideas and make the most of your exclusive access to the island of the Sound Mirrors this year.

The attendance for these events will be limited to approximately 30 people, rather than 300 people as on the open days. Even with the reduced capacity please make sure that time between the mirrors is shared amongst all attendees and you are considerate of everyone's space.

Please note that climbing on the Sound Mirrors or debris, altering or defacing the structures or entering the surrounding water will be strictly prohibited for health and safety reasons. Also, the flying of drones will also be strictly prohibited due to the proximity of Lydd Airport.

There are limited tickets for each event, so grab yours early. However, if you don’t manage to get tickets for one event, don’t panic - there are plenty more dates to choose from. Please note that we are only accepting pre-booked tickets and are unable to accept drop in visits on the day if we are at capacity, due to health and safety reasons.

Important information to be aware of:

· There is a 10-30 minute walk from the closest car parks (details of which will be sent to attendees prior to the event by email), some of which is across loose shingle to get to the Sound Mirror bridge, which is also narrow. Due to this, these events may be unsuitable for disabled access, particularly wheelchair users. It may also be prudent to bare this in mind when deciding on how much equipment to bring. If you would like further clarification surrounding this, please don’t hesitate to call us on 01797 320588.

· There are no toilets on the island, the closest facilities being at the Lade Car Park (approx. a mile away) or on our main nature reserve site, (approx. 3 miles away).

· Please ensure you have appropriate clothing and footwear for the day.

Please be aware that in extreme circumstances, for example, high winds or torrential rain, we reserve the right to cancel or postpone the event at short notice, for the safety of our staff and visitors. In this instance, we would look to transfer your tickets to the next suitable event.

Further information regarding location, directions and facilities will be emailed to you at the email address used for your booking approximately a week prior to the event. If you do not receive this email, please check your junk folder before contacting us on 01797 320588.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Sound Mirrors in 2022!

FAQs

How can I contact the organiser with any questions?

Email Dungeness@rspb.org.uk or call us on 01797 320588 for further details. All bookings must be made online.

What's the refund policy?

If we cancel an event for any reason you will receive a full refund. Should you need to cancel, then you receive a full refund up to three days before the event, after which no refund is available. Cancellations must be made by calling us on 01797 320588.

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

Please bring your ticket or email confirmation with you. RSPB members should bring their membership cards with them please.

Is my registration fee or ticket transferrable?

You can transfer your booking to another event up to one week before the event.

Is it ok if the name on my ticket or registration doesn't match the person who attends?

Please include the names of all people who will be attending when making a booking.

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