Portland's Royal Manor Theatre

Portland Theatre :o)

The Isle of Portland does have it's own Theatre which almost everyone who comes the Island passes... a big building yet due to being located on the hill in Fortuneswell it's easy to miss... oddly.

Standing opposite it you realise how imposing a building it is, the fact it's on a hill makes it seem more so.

It is one of Portland's Grand buildings really, not that many of them these day's but, it's built to last.

Easy to imagine that this was the centre of the community entertainment back in the day, still being used to this day but obviously with these modern times and how things have changed, not as often as at one time.

Portland's crazy brand new...

... idea and you read it here first!

Portland's Old Scuba shop, that blue building and car park in the foreground with the new view behind it overlooking PORTLAND's harbour, thus sailing academy too.. the 2012 sailing is here on PORTLAND... nothing to do with Weymouth...

I digress! :o)

Dad being a diver, took me and my brothers down there a few times back in day, in some way's I am surprised that building is still there, amazing some company hasn't jumped on it.

This is a prominent site on arrival to Portland, a good sized car park too, yet they removed the skate park that was sat behind this building, shame, but...as usual there is not alot to do for the younger generation...

Portland Bill spring fairground

Magic of the fair! by Bea

The magic of the fair!

Portland has had the yearly visits from the travelling fair for around a century now, lots of fond memories for almost every Portlander over the years, generations of us having great family nights eating candy-floss and toffee apples, getting dragged onto the rides because "they didn't want to get on alone" thanks mum, you got me loving that waltzer buzz, at a pretty young age! :o)

We didn't have playstations and such like the youngsters do these days, the fair was a real treat, something different and something not to be missed. Yet...

Portland says N.O.P.E to palm oil energy loud and clear

Portlanders made a great turn out regarding the N.O.P.E march, as seen here on the ITV Local news and it looks to be 3 to 400 people there which can't be ignored, the message is loud and clear... in case it's not, again...Palm oil energy plant? WE DON'T WANT IT!

The walk started at the top of Portland near the heights hotel and memorial seen above, taking the route down the the bottom of the island (known as underhill) as seen below, trekking down "new road" towards the gates of Portland port, the old naval base gates.

Pictures with thanks to N.O.P.E on facebook.

I couldn't be there myself , having the flu and not really wanting to share it with everyone, any generosity I have stops there, happy to say.

Portland's fair

Portland fair is here for the weekend, open for three days this year and in the half term holidays too.

The bonus being the weather has been good so it's dry too which also makes it safer for obvious reasons.

I do think personally the atmosphere has been a little lost from the change of site, admittedly when the fair was in chiswell it caused traffic issues, which on the whole the island accepted and dealt with it but back then it was a proper street fair.

Since the move that's a little magic that's been lost.

There are benefits for the move yet I think it's a huge change and an important one, atmosphere is a big reason for going. One big reason the islanders enjoyed it was because it was an opportunity to see everyone, I mean everyone knows everyone here, or they did much more a few years ago, nevertheless it was part of the charm.

A chance to natter with people we don't get to see in our busy or hectic lives, depending how you view it. :o)

The street was alive and lit up with the sounds of the fair while steam floated over the hot food stands, people with candyfloss and balloons, prizes in hands, smiles and red cheeks all round.

That to me was the fairground attraction.

Now a memory, nostalgia.

Portland castle...

Portland castle, from the waters edge.

The castle on Portland was built in the reign of Henry VIII, it has an interesting 450 year history, one of the best coast fortresses built of the time in the UK.

Probably a defence against Spanish or French attack, the two main "rivals" of that era.

A proper Tudor stronghold in the UK and it still has a Tudor kitchen which visitors can see, it's makes a decent day out for any family, a bit of a history lesson for the children, looking at the armour, the gun platform, an audio narration to keep it interesting, (no idea what that itself is like, being deaf).

It has also got an interesting garden these days, a bit different, contemporary you could say.

I have heard it was somehow involved in the first world war...
More recently it played an important role WW2 in D-Day preparations, which was launched from here in Portland harbour.

Here is one of the windows on the castle...



And looking at the castle from a little further away...



You can also sea a small collection of boats that are stored here and used in the harbour....brings the place up to date!

For families visiting Portland bill, Chesil beach, even...Weymouth, should take a chance to see the castle and a bit of our history.

Any thoughts? Have you visited it?

Portlands sailing academy, 2012 OIympics venue

Portland's ongoing work to replace the old tankers, which have now all been removed.
The place looks better without the tankers but the old pictures showing the tanks make me think of how it used to be here.

In some ways for me the port still seems "out of bounds" due to the navy being here during my whole childhood. It just feels off at times. Very strange and no idea if other locals still get that odd feeling?

Turning around from the same point of the above picture shows you the sailing academy, like below, where the 2012 Olympics will be held... NO-WHERE near Weymouth. It's 100% in Portland water.



It's even inside our old naval "breakwater" boundary.

In the picture here you can also see the new additions to Portland... namely the 3 wind turbines.

This part of Portland is improving fast, just hope that more money will be used to improve more of Portland in time for 2012, this place will be on the TV shown worldwide.

NOT Weymouth, which is hellbent on grabbing any publicity and benefit it can from Portland. They are very slow to share the other way though.

Portland UK : Portland quarrying issues!

The quarrying issues on Portland led to us all to petition the government, they have now responded, the permission to quarry our Jurassic coast was passed way back in the 50's, so outdated it should be re-evaluated. Please take a look at this response from 10 downing street.

I am sure many others hope as I do this will not take place, as a stonemason myself I understand the need for the locals to have the work, but this island is worth MORE than your jobs.

Once it is gone it is gone!

Great fun....

Looking at the height of these it seems hard to believe as a teenager I used to jump of these big blocks with my mates!

Not something I would want MY kids to be doing!

These are in the harbour and were used to berth the submarines.. the water IS deep..



On the left is a long walkway, this is where you can catch the tour boat that goes across the bay to Weymouth, a great alternative to the drive...or you could go the other way from Weymouth to here, or both!

I would recommend a trip on that.

Take care,
Rob

Red arrows over the bay

Well it was the carnival in Weymouth yesterday.

That meant the Red Arrows, the uk's famous
stunt pilots were here to put on a display, as
Portland is so near they also fly over the bay
here and spectacular they are!

How they do it is hard to get the mind around,
so close yet making it look so easy!

I regret not getting pictures..
ah well next time eh..... (slaps forehead)!!