Created for the boardwalk at Wicken Fen Nature reserve, a series of Sound Pools invited visitors to bathe in the hidden sounds from the Fen. Sounds from underwater and underground were elevated into a series of overhead, directional, dome speakers, allowing visitors to step in and out of different soundworlds as they approached the Brick Kiln pond. Guest became immersed in the chirping of underwater invertebrates and crackling of fish from the ponds and lodes, and were invited to become curious about sounds hidden deep within the peat, where carbon and time are held. The recordings, made throughout the first half of 2024, explored these underwater and underground soundscapes through the changing seasons, celebrating Wicken Fen’s 125th anniversary.

Sound Pools premiered on 18th July to mark World Listening Day 2024, and continued throughout the summer as part of a wider project Listen to the Voices of the Fen, by Kathy Hinde in Partnership with Wicken Fen and Babylon Arts to celebrate the 125th Anniversary of Wicken Fen. 

This project is supported using public funding by The National Lottery through Arts Council England. Images © Mike Selby / National Trust

Listen to Sound Pool 1, which includes recordings of bubbles rising in the ditch next to Sedge Fen, (recorded underwater in February 2024) combined with underwater sounds where Wicken Lode joins Monks Lode, recorded in June 2024, where there were many fish visible in the water.

Listen to Sound Pool 2, which includes recordings of rain on Wicken Lode recorded underwater and above water in May 2024; underwater sounds at Drainers Dyke recorded in June 2024; underground recordings made 3 metres deep into peat on Sedge Fen recorded in June 2024 and underwater sounds in the ditch behind the old wind pump on Sedge Fen recorded in July 2024

Listen to Sound Pool 3, which includes recordings made underwater at Brick Kiln Pond made in February 2024 and recordings made underwater at the pond between Sedge Fen and Roger Clarke Hide during June 2024.