We may all be baking under the summer sun, but life is about to get very chilly!

We’re seeking volunteers for this year’s Zombie Fright Night at the Nothe Fort, Weymouth. The event will run over the Halloween weekend of Friday 30th October and Saturday 31st October. ‘

The event, which raises much-needed funds for three local charities, ICA, EPIC Games Dorset and Nothe Fort, is a ‘Crystal Maze’ type challenge through the darkened tunnels of Nothe Fort, between 6pm – midnight. Teams are tasked with challenges to ensure their escape and ultimate survival, whilst having to dodge the undead – who are hidden everywhere!

We need volunteers to help scare the pants off the paying public! Various roles, shifts and days are available. You supply the costume and we’ll make sure you have a scream!

To sign up or find out more details please follow the link below and one of our team will be in touch in September with more details.

Island Quirkies Unearthed may be over, but we’re still dizzy with excitement about the huge impact it had on everyone who visited last weekend.

Since Sunday, we’ve received some amazing reviews and requests, for which we are hugely grateful.

We couldn’t finish this project without thanking those who made the event possible and evidenced just how amazingly supportive, talented and passionate Portland’s community is.

Firstly, the ICA team. Project lead Katy Pascoe, alongside Georgina Bolt, Jackie Carpenter, Nicky Turrell and Holly Benham (curation). You worked so hard for so long, and it really did pay off. You delivered a truly magical experience that you can all be massively proud of.

Also, the Portland Youth Council, whose energy, passion, and determination have been phenomenal. And the hugely talented Charlie Pascoe Art, who worked with our Youth Councillors throughout to develop and deliver our 12 iconic Portland species, Quirky Workshops, and more.

Then there are the amazing children from St George’s Primary School – Portland Events and Atlantic Academy Portland who, after a short session on evolution and climate change, created their stunning, thoughtful (sometimes scary and hilarious) creatures. And our 75 talented Community Crafters, whose creativity and tenacity turned 130 of our children’s imaginings into something wonderful.

Huge thanks also to our ICA volunteers, including those who helped in the kitchen, with cake baking, marshalling, and putting everything up and taking it all down: Andy McNally, David Pead, Di Bedford, Ginny Duxbury, Glenda Allen, Keith Bedford, Linda Gallie, Liz Duckworth, Pat Kennedy, Paul Bedford, Paul Oakden, Pete Turrell, Sarah Scard, Sheelagh Donovan, Tam McHale + Jayne Urquhart-Sims and Jo Way (The Island and Royal Manor of Portland Rotary Club).

Our three excellent work experience students also deserve a special mention: Callie Jones (All Saints), who helped with setting up the exhibition and welcoming our VIPs. Lillian Jones (Weymouth College), who spent months logging, tagging, and making posters, and also welcomed our VIPs. Seren Jones (Atlantic Academy), who supported poster creation and event preparation.

Thank you as well to those who managed and delivered activities, walks, and talks: Anita Busby-Wilcocks, Andrew Cowling, Bridget Rod, Hannah Sofaer, Laura Baldwin (Portland 4 the Planet), Laura Lake (Whispers from the Wood), Lisa Stone, Louise Keeling, Matilda Busby-Wilcocks, Sebastian Brooke, (MEMO Portland), Sharon Stanton, Steve Christmas, Paul Crabtree and Stephen Yates Artist + the organisations who supported us, including Barracuda Embroidery & Printwear, Portland Sculpture & Quarry Trust, Hannah’s Kitchen and Houseworks Dorset CIC.

And finally, last but not least, our gratitude goes to all those who visited the exhibition over the weekend, and those that part-funded the two-year programme of activities and the event itself – Dorset Council, Portland Town Council and The National Lottery Community Fund.

If I’ve missed anyone out, I apologise profusely. Please let me know and I’ll add you to the list.

For anyone that interested, you can see an overview of the project from start to finish HERE:

THIS WEEKEND – GET READY FOR TWO AMAZING DAYS CELEBRATING NATURE, IMAGINATION AND COMMUNITY SPIRIT! 

Join ICA and Portland Youth Council on the first weekend of the summer holidays for a colourful and fun celebration packed with FREE and reduced-price nature-themed activities, guided walks, inspiring talks, and plenty of fun for all ages. 

Discover a spectacular exhibition of imaginary future creatures, dreamed up by hundreds of local children and young people, then brought to life in stunning detail by our talented Community Crafters.

Get inspired with top tips on how to help protect the amazing wild world around us, AND ENJOY SOME TRULY TASTY CAKE!!!

To find out more and to book, visit Ticket Tailor.

Quirky Island Unearthed is gratefully part-funded by Dorset Council, Portland Town Council and The National Lottery Community Fund.

GET READY FOR TWO AMAZING DAYS CELEBRATING NATURE, IMAGINATION AND COMMUNITY SPIRIT! 

Join ICA and Portland Youth Council on the first weekend of the summer holidays for a colourful and fun celebration packed with FREE and reduced-price nature-themed activities, guided walks, inspiring talks, and plenty of fun for all ages. 

Discover a spectacular exhibition of imaginary future creatures, dreamed up by hundreds of local children and young people, then brought to life in stunning detail by our talented Community Crafters.

Get inspired with top tips on how to help protect the amazing wild world around us, AND ENJOY SOME TRULY TASTY CAKE!!!

To find out more and to book, visit Ticket Tailor.

Quirky Island Unearthed is gratefully part-funded by Dorset Council, Portland Town Council and The National Lottery Community Fund.

What a fantastic time we all had at yesterday’s Easter Nature Trail. The rain held off, and 130 children took part, along with their parents and guardians. It was wonderful to see so many people engaging with Portland’s natural environment. It was just as phenomenal to get 100% positive feedback from everyone who participated. We’re really grateful.

Massive thanks to the Portland Youth Council, whose creativity, energy, and passion in helping to plan and deliver the event were outstanding. They did, as always, an amazing job.

Thanks also to the Island and The Island and Royal Manor of Portland Rotary Club for organising the fete, and to volunteers Steve Christmas, Paul Oakden, Vicky Hope, and Charlie Pascoe for supporting the event throughout the day, from setting up to informing participants about the creatures within France Quarry.

We’re still counting the money, so we can’t confirm the amount raised by Portland Youth Council towards Future Portland UK – Community Benefit Society‘s campaign to buy two acres of France Quarry for the community. We’ll do this asap.

Portland Youth Council is managed by Island Community Action (ICA) and supported by Portland Town Council and Dorset Council.

Supporting Future Portland’s campaign to purchase two acres of France Quarry for the community. Find out more at Future Portland.

TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE.

Follow the Easter Bunny’s footprints around Easton’s hidden nature spots. Along the way, learn about local wildlife, solve the clues and challenges and grab a delicious prize.

Saturday 4th April. £5 per child – includes a large Easter egg (worth £4) + a pen and activity booklet for every paying child. £10 for a group of 3. £15 for a group of four.

This fun, family-friendly event is full of games and activities for primary-aged children (4-11yrs).

It has been created and organised with the support of the Portland Youth Council. In support of their Protecting and Respecting Local Wildlife and Public Spaces campaign, the Youth Council have decided that all monies raised via this event will go towards the purchase of two acres of France Quarry for Portland’s community.

An Easter Fete will also be running at the C2000 Hall throughout the the nature trail event. This will feature charity and craft stalls, games and refreshments. Stall space is available at a cost of £8 a table. To book a table please contact The Island and Royal Manor of Portland Rotary Club.

The event is a collaboration between Island Community Action (ICA), Portland Youth Council and Portland Rotary Club. ICA and Portland Youth Council are organising the nature trail and Portland Rotary Club the fete.

BOOK TICKETS HERE or use the QR code below.

FUNDING UPDATE: AS AT 19TH MARCH, FUTURE PORTLAND HAS RAISED £44,850 TOWARDS THE £60,000 REQUIRED TO PURCHASE 2 ACRES OF FRANCE QUARRY FOR NATURE AND PEOPLE.

Massive thanks to all those who have donated or pledged.

Find out more about the project and how you can support it here.