As we move into autumn, we wanted to give you a quick update on our progress to date.

Firstly, a huge thank you to everyone who pledged and donated. In total, we’ve raised and collected just over our £60,000 target, which is a fantastic achievement and gives us enough funds to cover the community purchase costs, along with the associated legal and initial maintenance fees.

We are now working through the legal process, which is taking a little longer than anticipated; however, as soon as we have more news, we’ll let you know.

Once again, thank you for your support – we really could not have begun to save this critical green space without you.

Roll up, roll up, get your tickets ‘er!

Book here or QR code on poster:

STORYLINE: Nothe of the Living Dead combines jump scares and escape dungeon-style challenges and puzzles in an hour-long experience that sees participants take on a chilling quest to save the world from an undead takeover.

THE 2026 CHALLENGE – FREAK CIRCUS: For generations, whispers have followed the tattered red-and-black tents of the Freak Circus. It appears without warning, drawing crowds with promises of impossible prizes, twisted spectacles, and unforgettable entertainment.

Every visitor enters willingly. Very few are ever truly the same again.

The circus’s headline attraction is a ravenous zombie, shackled in rusted chains and displayed as a monstrous curiosity. The Ringmaster insists the creature is safely contained.

He’s lying.

The infection spread through the circus long ago. The clowns, fortune tellers, strongmen, and performers have all succumbed to its curse, hiding their decaying flesh behind painted smiles and elaborate costumes. They no longer travel to entertain – they travel to feed, luring fresh victims into their ranks with games, laughter, and the promise of bountiful rewards and extraordinatry experiences.

Somewhere along the line, you must have succumbed to their promises because now you’re trapped inside!

Every carnival game you conquer and every puzzle you solve will earn you precious prize tickets. Collect enough before the infection claims you, then race to The Freak Circus Prize Booth, where the Ringmaster has the last remaining vaccinations.

Run out of time… or fail to earn enough tickets…and the vaccine will elude you.

You’ll be left alone to feel the bite burn through your veins. Your heartbeat will slow. Your mind will fade. And, when the tents leave town before dawn, you won’t be leaving with them as a guest because this time you’ll be staying behind as the Freak Circus’s newest attraction… forever!

TESTIMONIALS

“First time going and it was amazing. My heart was racing through fear and excitement, I loved all the challenges. It was bloody scary but fun at the same time, definitely booking up next year. Great value for money and raising money for a great charity.”

“I’d highly recommend this event; I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Fantastic effort by everyone involved.”

“I’ve done this event every year, and it keeps on getting better. The jump scares are great, the challenges are always clever and fun, and no matter how often you do it, you still get nervous. Love the whole thing, and it’s raising money for some great local charities.”

EVENT HOSTS: The event, a fundraising collaboration between local charities Island Community Action (ICA), EPIC Games Dorset and the Nothe Fort, takes place at the Nothe Fort – voted one of the UK’s spookiest locations. The event is now in its seventh year and has become a firm favourite with horror enthusiasts across the South West and beyond. All profits go towards supporting the host’s activities and services for local people.

#Halloween

#zombie

#zombieapocalypse

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.