Blogs - Portlanders!

Meanderings of a Portland Rover 5th November 2009

Having taken a couple of days off work, what better to do with my time than to (Again) walk around the coast path of the isle. With my wife's words ringing in my ear as I left at 8.30 (You could mow the lawn if you're that bored!) I walked my daughter to Cliff School, gave her a hug and set off up Lancorage to priory corner. Walking down the West path with a south westerly blowing me in all sorts of directions, I thought to myself that I must be extreamly careful around Blacknor Point. Twas' so… Continue

Added by Andy Straw, Born on the Isle on November 6, 2009 at 11:19am — No Comments

Officers field... Going Going Gone!

I cycle past the remains of the Officers field on an almost Daily occurance, and I see large sections of my old playground completely ripped up. I had heared that the Navy promised this land to the people of Portland, If this is true, then why did the Regional Development agency (Law unto themselves) Sell off a peice of land that does not belong to them? As part of the new development, which I may add (I did not want to see!!!!) They promised that they would retain a Full size Football pitch. As… Continue

Added by Andy Straw, Born on the Isle on October 24, 2009 at 12:15pm — 3 Comments

Island Strolling (October)

It was a lovely warm Octobers afternoon,this year weve had a 'Great' Indian Summer with some fine walking days.After lunch,'I headed from East Weare along the 'Banks' to South prison entrance.I followed the High-wired compound of Verne riding stables,with its 'retired' Cold War buildings.These are the above ground buildings associated with a huge 'Nucleur' Bunker below the suface.How i would give anything to visit this place,it would make a fantastic,informative,Cold War museum.Heading around th… Continue

Added by Peter Minter on October 16, 2009 at 8:01pm — 8 Comments

Meanderings of a Portland Rover 04th October 2009

Portland Rover, as a matter of interest, is a self proclaimed name that I call myself. Roving, however, is my favourite pastime and Portland is an ideal place to do it! I am determined to walk every registered and unregistered footpath on the Isle. From the lengthiest track to the smallest path. I would say that I have covered at least 72%, and I am still finding new ones that I have never come across before. I sometimes use Google Earth to work out a logical path, and sometimes I just "wing it"… Continue

Added by Andy Straw, Born on the Isle on October 4, 2009 at 7:03pm — No Comments

Traffic jams

Once again Weymouth & Portland council road works dept have achieved what a city can not easily do stop traffic moving. I do not miss the inevitable daily nightmare of driving to and from Portland but now am wondering with the new road stopping short of making a second option to accesing Portland what is going to happen when 2012 Olympics starts/ One for you all to ponder and give your thoughts and comments back Continue

Added by PETER EBDON on October 1, 2009 at 6:34pm — 1 Comment

Meanderings of a Portland Rover 27th September 2009

I wandered the wonderful Isle again today. I visited the Ancient Field Strip System. It was nice seeing horses grazing there, and a wooden fence pole almost completely covered in Snails. West cliff was not as serine as it normally is...two dozen runners struggled past on the first section of their triathlon, puffing and panting as they went...It's not good for the ol knees people!!! good for the heart yes! but not the knees. I got to priory corner and removed two cones from the heads of the spir… Continue

Added by Andy Straw, Born on the Isle on September 27, 2009 at 6:59pm — No Comments

Island strolling (September)

We both needed some rigorous exercise,so 'Pepsi' & myself headed for Tophill today.i wanted to seek out a few areas I've not visited in a year or so.It was quiet fresh today,with a strong westerly breeze,with heavy grey clouds over Lyme Bay.I started out very happy or so I thought... From Easton Lane we followed the footpath into Inmosthay Quarry by the car park (opposite Portland Lodge).I wanted to return here again as I wanted to take some more Photographs of Portlands last remaining Quarr… Continue

Added by Peter Minter on September 22, 2009 at 11:30pm — No Comments

The Cove Clean up

I went to the 6 monthly Cove clean up, to help clear our beach of the jetsom from the sea and on land. I was amazed at the amount of fishing line there were. Fishermen who use the Chesil bank are normally very thorough when they tidy up after themselves at the end of an all night fishing session, or just a day session, but there were many items (that could have only been left by fishermen) still cluttering the beach. Thankfully we managed to remove them before they get caught on, or inside a sea… Continue

Added by Andy Straw, Born on the Isle on September 19, 2009 at 1:34pm — 4 Comments

Island Conservation

Having taken a Week off work, I went up the Merchant Bridges early this morning to help Boots and Mike clearing all the scrub away from the western wall just above the higher bridge nearest the prison. Came across a Cat skull next to it's little white Collar, obviously a long lost cat not returned home to it's owners, Shame! We uncovered a large section on dry stone walling, and hopefully reveal the rest of it as and when time permits. It is a thoroughly rewarding task, and I walked home with a… Continue

Added by Andy Straw, Born on the Isle on September 11, 2009 at 6:37pm — No Comments

Meanderings of a Dearranged fool

As a Portlander by birth, and totally and utterly in love with the wonderful Isle, I find myself engaging in one of the most enjoyable pastimes of Walking. I like so many of you, am quite happy to don my walking boots, and with Rucksack and a walking stick or two (Depends if I fancy a Nordic or not) will set off from my home in Underhill, and spend the rest of the day on the cliff paths or inland trails around the island. I always carry a selection of Tourism leaflets that a friend of mine sends… Continue

Added by Andy Straw, Born on the Isle on September 9, 2009 at 7:05pm — No Comments

Island Strolling(August)

Today, was a warm summers day,so me and my hound took an afternoon stroll around Castletown.This area has greatly changed since my childhood.. The Aqua Hotel,was the Salvation army hostel.The Inns have mainly stayed the same,although the 'jolly sailor' is looking derilict now.Castletown pier used to be a hive of activity.Small Coasters moored alongside the wooden jetty.There was a hopper & crane on the quay loading crushed stone material into the cargo holds.I remember if there was a breeze,… Continue

Added by Peter Minter on August 15, 2009 at 12:09am — No Comments

ISLAND COMMUNITY ACTION (incorporating IVY)

Prize Bingo at St. Georges hall, Friday 14th August Doors open 1.30pm eyes down 2pm Continue

Added by Jackie Carpenter on August 13, 2009 at 4:03pm — No Comments

Island Strolling(July)

Black Barge. Today,me & my faithful hound 'peps',went for a afternoon stroll down Black Barge.Whilst relaxing on a bench enjoying the mid-summer sun,I had time to reflect on childhood memories... There has been much change here over 40 years or so.The sandy beach by Portland Castle car park had a wreck of an old wooden barge stuck in the sand, roughly were the concrete slip is now.As children we used to walk/scramble along that old sewer pipe to catch prawns.The pipe was never weed covered… Continue

Added by Peter Minter on July 29, 2009 at 12:30am — No Comments

Island strolling

Today,we went for a walk along the RN Cemetery footpath,one of my favourite parts of the island.It is in peaceful areas like this I dream of the past & present...In the 70s,families would picnic on the hillside above the Dockyard, watching the Red Arrows performing acrobatics above us on Portland Navy Days.You had to keep a keen eye over your shoulder though for a herd of grazing friesien cows!What happened to all that grass,just unkempt wild braken now,where did the cows come from?Playing i… Continue

Added by Peter Minter on May 20, 2009 at 3:30am — No Comments

Mark Steel's In Town

On 15 April 2009, Mark Steel (As seen on Mock the Week, Qi etc) came to record a radio show on the Isle of Portland, celebrating the area and its people. Me and my brother were lucky enough to get tickets to the event and listened to a bloke from Croydon talk about our lovely for our Isle and our ways for an hour and a quarter. Stuart Morris and Hilda Swinney were also featured. The program was edited and aired this evening (22 April) at 18.30 on Radio 4 and is available on BBC iplayer for a wee… Continue

Added by Sam Wilding on April 22, 2009 at 10:07pm — 1 Comment

Quarrying at the Bill

What is happening about the proposed quarrying at the Bill. Have not heard anything for a while? Continue

Added by Scott Irvine on March 30, 2009 at 5:03pm — 1 Comment

Howdy

Day 1 for me in here.. probably muff a few things up, but boldly going... Guess this is as good a place for my oblig intro. I've been here on Porland all my life. Origionally from underhill. (Coronation Road, Tillycoombe, Harbour view), but married and move oop top to the westcliffe. Worked in the AUWE/ARE/DERA/Qinetiq sites south/north & bincs up until 2002 & recently finished a contract at Ultra on the Granby. Left tophill school in 1969. lol that is me but I don't always dress like… Continue

Added by Phil Luke on February 10, 2009 at 1:30pm — No Comments

Maybe half a rocky

Hi all, been living down her most of my life, now here full time for the last 20 years. Grandparents where living at n01 Mantle close, true portlanders like my mother Marjorie saunders. Sister of molly, who is husband of Alan Martindale, ex mayor but a good guy. Also sister of sandy Gibbens. I believe a few cousins and friends still live on there, wish I did; Love the isle and spend a lot of time on there. Continue

Added by Don Merrick on February 8, 2009 at 9:20pm — No Comments

XMAS 2008

THANKS ROB AND MEMBERS THAT HAVE ADDED CONTENT AND PHOTOS LETS KEEP THIS GOING IN 2009 HAPPY XMAS TO MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT ARE MEMBERS OF PORTLANDERS I WISH YOU ALL A PROSPEROUS AND LUCKY NEW YEAR THANKS FOR YOUR HELP AND ADVICE ROB ALL THE BEST PETE EBDON Continue

Added by PETER EBDON on December 24, 2008 at 8:23pm — 1 Comment

childhood memories

I live on portland for 17 years. I move away in 1998 to come and live in london what a big misstake that was. But the best thing is that my mum and dad still live there which is great.That means i can come and go as i please.I do miss it so so much.When i lived there i lived down weston street and had so much fun when i was young.But time gone so so fast when ur having fun so the reason i moved away was the work issue not much of it around and if there was work the money was not to good so londo… Continue

Added by ryan may on December 13, 2008 at 12:21am — 6 Comments

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