Nice piece in today’s Dorset Echo. Would love to see you there.

Tickets on sale at the Nothe Fort Box Office.

Today is Silver Sunday – the official day for celebrating older people in the UK.

To celebrate, ICA put on its first post COVID-19 lockdown tea party.

It was absolutely wonderful to bring at least some of our older clients together and also to honour those that we’ve lost over the last 18 months. They were missed.

Massive thanks to all our amazing volunteers, whether they drove, served or made sandwiches and cakes. Thanks also to The Lobster Pot for donating the lip smacking scones and to John Rickman for the music.

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the tunnels – the original Nothe of the Living Dead is back!!!

Are you brave enough to battle your way through a web of tunnels infested with flesh devouring zombies? Have you got what it takes to grab a vaccine and overcome the physical and mental challenges that lie between you and the rescue teams at the tunnel’s end OR are you destined to become the extra fresh main course in a zingy zombie nosh-up?!

Come find out this Halloween. 

Tickets on sale at the Nothe Fort Box Office

Huge thanks to Portland Rotary Club who generously provided £500 match-funding towards the screen.

As well as ICA’s own activities and events, the screen will be used to promote the brilliant range of work delivered by Portland’s many other community groups and organisations.

Groups or organisations wanting to promote their activities and events can get in touch by phone: 01305 823789 or email: office@islandcommunityaction.org.uk.

A great funding boost for Portland’s Man Shed, thanks to Dorset Council’s Community and Culture Project Fund and ICA’s expanded support offer for Island based community groups.

The support, which ranges from funding advice to training, is offered as part of its new five-year initiative, The Portland Project.

Thanks to Dorset Council for the award and congratulations to the Shed, a great local group and recently featured on BBC South.

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the tunnels – the original Nothe of the Living Dead is back!!!

Are you brave enough to battle your way through a web of tunnels infested with flesh devouring zombies? Have you got what it takes to grab a vaccine and overcome the physical and mental challenges that lie between you and the rescue teams at the tunnel’s end OR are you destined to become the extra fresh main course in a zingy zombie nosh-up?!

Come find out this Halloween. 

Tickets on sale at the Nothe Fort Box Office

A thousand ideas, one amazing island.

b-side is back, showcasing the very best in contemporary art made in response to the beautiful and intriguing Isle of Portland.

This year’s festival is running Thursday 9th to Sunday 12th September and has an amazing range of activities and events to experience. Check out what’s on here.

Up for something different? Check out That Other Place, a mirror image of the Isle of Portland, a parallel universe – but not the same!!!

Tickets still available for some events. Book here.

Boris Johnson is due to unveil his long-term plans for social care and the NHS as early as Tuesday, with billions more in funding expected.

The following BBC article outlines some of the reasons it’s needed, a few are particularly pertinent to Dorset…

From Public Health Dorset…

From Monday 16 August, people who are double jabbed or under 18 will no longer be legally required to self-isolate if they are identified as a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case, instead it is advised that they get a PCR test.

If you do develop COVID-19 symptoms, you must still self-isolate and book a PCR test. Anyone who tests positive following the PCR test will still be legally required to self-isolate, regardless of their vaccination status or age.

As double jabbed people identified as close contacts are still at risk of being infected, people are advised to consider other precautions such as wearing a face covering in enclosed spaces.

More information here:

A reminder of the b-side workshops this week and next…

What are your Opes & Dreams for Portland?

Join Promenade to look at Portland’s past, present & future this Thursday (12th) @ 6:30pm at St George’s Centre https://b-side.org.uk/…/opes-and-dreams-with-promenade…

Or next Thursday (19th) at 6:30pm on Zoom https://b-side.org.uk/…/opes-and-dreams-with-promenade…

See your ideas come to life at an interactive performance during the b-side festival 2021 (9th – 12th Sept).

Bring your experiences, stories and creativity to provide a window on the past and present. This is a chance to connect with new people and find common ground to imagine what the Portland of the future might be. You’ll be encouraged to respond creatively in any way you like, such as writing, photography, audio recordings and drawing.

You’ll have the opportunity to share your work in a zine for festival-goers and have your ideas incorporated into the performances.

The workshop will be fun and free, no creative experience required! Please let us know if you have any accessibility requirements.