The Nicodemus knob...On the east side of Portland sits this stack, at a guess it's about 25-35 metres high, overlooking the Jurassic coast with a fantastic view of the sheer white chalk cliffs in the distance just before Lulworth cove.
I have to say, it's not recommended at all to climb on this, although people have done so it is dangerous and at least 500 to 600 metres from the nearest house and main road, with no ambulance access you certainly wouldn't want to fall off that!
This was I presume part of the cliff at one time, as the east side was quarried a long time ago, the old railway ran along this side under the cliffs just on the other side of the stack.
Partly what alarms me is the sheer amount of stone that's been taken from the outsides of the island, the cliffs are quite some way back from the seashore.
Portland must have been quite a bit bigger one time, shame to have lost that but then the stone from the east side here is what ended up at St Paul's cathedral, among many other grand buildings for the world to see.
I am not sure why this stack is called Nicodemus knob to be honest but it is a landmark for us, if it was to disappear it would look odd for us locals.
UPDATED: It seems there is a theory by Geoff Kirby as to the name and reason behind it, according to his theory, it was named after an Irish man who had been keen on the ladies! (check the part inside the red box)
love the vies around that area and would love to find out the reasoning behind the name Nicodemus knob
ReplyDeletepete a
Hello Pete,
ReplyDeleteI agree, the views are stunning, especially on a really clear day.
We will have to find out why about the name. ;o)
Not sure why it's Nicodemus' Knob but I'm led to believe it was left by quarrymen to show how far they had dug.
ReplyDeleteHello Matt,
ReplyDeleteThanks for that, it wouldn't surprise me if that was why they left it and it certainly does show how far they dug! :o)
Apparently, St Andrew's Church above Church ope' was at the centre of the isle when it was first built. However a huge tidal wave wiped half of the isle away in the 10 hundreds before the Norman invasion.
ReplyDeletewow, really?
ReplyDeleteLearn sommat new everyday mate. :o)
THAT would be a big Portland!
I have a few books about Portland. I will have a look and see if I can find an answer for you. If so, I will post it on here Rob.
ReplyDeleteThat would be great Sylv, thanks. :o)
ReplyDeleteA Stuart Morris book by any chance?
Apparently its a monument/marker left by the quarrymen although the purpose is vague, some say its a ships marker and others a boundary marker for the eastern edge of the common.
ReplyDeleteCheck out this fab little book I found called The Spirit of Portland (revelations of a sacred isle) written by a kimberlin called Gary Biltcliffe its got some amazing facts and pics in it!!I got mine from Old Wyke Stores so they must sell them in other shops 9.99
Jackie (missymoobeams mummy)
Jackie, Thanks, I added Geoff's theory link to the post.
ReplyDeleteBut as it say's, a theory, so I couldn't discount your comment there.
Interesting, I will have to look into the books you mentioned.
Thanks, great to see a member of "team missy" here... lol :o)
I don't think it looks as big as it used too ,I'm just gettin old I suppose
ReplyDeleteHa ha Paul... doesn't everything look bigger when we are young? :o)
ReplyDelete