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Sound Clips: Coryton Refinery Siren and Sunday Service by Ian Rawes of The London Sound Survey
Canvey Island is an industrial district in the Thames Estuary, down-river from London. The western half of the island is overshadowed by an oil refinery, the eastern half is given over to housing. These two sound recordings from Canvey Island show this contrast. Sirens mounted on liquified gas holders emit strange whale-like sounds as they undergo regular weekend testing. Further east, along the riverfront, worshippers from the island’s small Caribbean community hold an outdoor Sunday service on a bandstand.