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Quarrying issues on Portland.
As you all know there has been some debate and meetings etc regarding the issues along the westcliff side of the Island.
How do you all feel about quarrying in general?
Having been in that trade (masonry) I feel it is going too fast with the rate that modern machines can get it out.
In the past alot of the work was by hand so it was of course a dam sight slower rate of extraction going on, and more of the stone itself was being used in decent work, carving etc.
During my apprenticeship (some great times, that now being demolished building has some great memories) we always had decent work going through the workshop and it was great to learn.
During more recent bouts of work it is far less decent work and more tiles and plain cladding style work, (slabs to you ;o) ) which is going through at a faster rate due to less work done to the stone.
The quality in my opinion as a mason of the stone has gone down with far more "vents" (hairline cracks) through the stone, possibly due to the way it's extracted.
There is only so much of this stone it should in my eyes be used as a premium, a top quality carved product, not tiles!
To me it's MONEY they are chasing with the less work, sod what portalnders think, get it out, get the money in.
Well thats daft if you ask me, make it a premium product, use that worldwide fame of the stone to benefit us more, slow the quarrying down use the stone for the BEST work and maxminse the "reputation" of portland stone, and make MORE money.
Safegaurd the craft for longer, the next few generaions of masons here.
Don't let it die out like fishing almost has..
USE the blocks that are already piled up everywhere on the Island.
Doubt there is anything wrong with them, since they were quarried long ago, using less damaging methods.
The stone companies care more about NOW, the short term rather than the long term in my opinion.
That's my opinion though, maybe it's one you agree or don't agree with.
I don't feel they should be quarrying that strip on the west coast.
What's your thoughts and opinions on this or any other quarrying, stone matter?
How do you all feel about quarrying in general?
Having been in that trade (masonry) I feel it is going too fast with the rate that modern machines can get it out.
In the past alot of the work was by hand so it was of course a dam sight slower rate of extraction going on, and more of the stone itself was being used in decent work, carving etc.
During my apprenticeship (some great times, that now being demolished building has some great memories) we always had decent work going through the workshop and it was great to learn.
During more recent bouts of work it is far less decent work and more tiles and plain cladding style work, (slabs to you ;o) ) which is going through at a faster rate due to less work done to the stone.
The quality in my opinion as a mason of the stone has gone down with far more "vents" (hairline cracks) through the stone, possibly due to the way it's extracted.
There is only so much of this stone it should in my eyes be used as a premium, a top quality carved product, not tiles!
To me it's MONEY they are chasing with the less work, sod what portalnders think, get it out, get the money in.
Well thats daft if you ask me, make it a premium product, use that worldwide fame of the stone to benefit us more, slow the quarrying down use the stone for the BEST work and maxminse the "reputation" of portland stone, and make MORE money.
Safegaurd the craft for longer, the next few generaions of masons here.
Don't let it die out like fishing almost has..
USE the blocks that are already piled up everywhere on the Island.
Doubt there is anything wrong with them, since they were quarried long ago, using less damaging methods.
The stone companies care more about NOW, the short term rather than the long term in my opinion.
That's my opinion though, maybe it's one you agree or don't agree with.
I don't feel they should be quarrying that strip on the west coast.
What's your thoughts and opinions on this or any other quarrying, stone matter?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Rob Sellen on -
Any thoughts?
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Permalink Reply by Hayley on -
Yes you are right Rob they are putting their pockets before the island. Grabbing all the money they can get from excavating as much stone as they can and as quick as they can. They've gotta realise they can't keep quarrying the guts out of this island. There will come a time when it will have to stop and they can't just keep digging up places like Portland Bill to satisfy their greed!!
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Permalink Reply by Rob Sellen on
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Won't be a Portland left if they have their way!
Hayley said:Yes you are right Rob they are putting their pockets before the island. Grabbing all the money they can get from excavating as much stone as they can and as quick as they can. They've gotta realise they can't keep quarrying the guts out of this island. There will come a time when it will have to stop and they can't just keep digging up places like Portland Bill to satisfy their greed!!
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Permalink Reply by Scott Irvine on -
My main gripe with the proposed quarry at the Biil is that permission was granted in 1951 and that it supersedes the protection of it being a special area of conservation and a site of special scientific interest.
I have written to the Prime Minister about the ridiculous law and was passed on to David Jones, planning manager of S.W. Dorset. He said as it does not affect the nation and a local concern to repeal the law would mean the local authorities would have to compensate Portland Stone Ltd which would not be fair on the rest of the county!
I bet if a similar planning permission was found dating from 1883 allowing Easton to be quarried things would soon change. If the proposed quarrying goes ahead where will it stop; when Portland sinks below the waves?
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Permalink Reply by Rob Sellen on
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check this out..... http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page19488 A response from downing st...
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Permalink Reply by wayne gillham on -
from the little rumours that i have heard... the stone at the bill isnt of great quality and there isnt a great deal of it. i think all they are looking for is the compensation money and not the stone availible.
so the more the people complain, then the more bullshit geoff smith gives the autorites as to how good the stone is and the more compensation he gets paid out to leave it as it is.
i think people should maybe do a little homework into this and perhaps a attitude like "ok geoff go and quarry it" should be taken. perhaps then he may think oh shit and not get his compensation after all and be left with some stone that is worth a whole lot less.
these are my feelings on a pure rumour. certain people are just after the money and stuff everybody else.
i lso agree with you rob that what little stone is left should be used to handcraft stone and be carved ect rather than mass produced. porltand is only a small island and there inst a lifetime supply of stone.
but unfortunaley times have moved on and as with any trade automation soon takes over with heavy mass production.
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