***NEW PUBLIC SURVEY – HAVE YOUR SAY IN DETERMINING THE FUTURE OF PORTLAND’S HIGH ANGLE BATTERY***

326 surveys completed in the first week, with two more weeks to go. Fantastic!

If you haven’t done it yet, make sure your voice is heard and you get your opinions and ideas logged.

TO REGISTER YOUR VIEWS, COMPLETE THE PUBLIC SURVEY BETWEEN 1ST AND 19TH FEBRUARY.

YOU CAN ALSO PICK UP A PAPER COPY FROM THE ICA OFFICE IN EASTON (OPPOSITE EASTON PARK) AND A RANGE OF OTHER OUTLETS ACROSS THE ISLAND. 

Read more about the High Angle Battery’s history here:

Wikipedia 

Portland History

Dorset Echo

***NEW PUBLIC LISTENING EVENT WITH NHS DORSET INTEGRATED CARE SYSTEM TO DISCUSS PORTLAND’S HEALTHCARE NEEDS***

***NEW PUBLIC LISTENING EVENT WITH NHS DORSET INTEGRATED CARE SYSTEM TO DISCUSS PORTLAND’S HEALTHCARE NEEDS***

***NEW PUBLIC SURVEY – HAVE YOUR SAY IN DETERMINING THE FUTURE OF PORTLAND’S HIGH ANGLE BATTERY***

Not just an important part of Portland’s military past, the High Angle Battery (also known as the Verne Quarry Battery or the Ghost Tunnels) represents an important part of our Island’s wider history and, for many, our everyday lives (from childhood upwards). 

Already a Scheduled Monument (confirming its national importance), the site is also about to be recorded ‘at risk’ on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register.

To ensure its future, Dorset Council are working with a range of partners to plan a programme of repairs, increased conservation of the site’s ecology and a new interpretation scheme.

TO REGISTER YOUR VIEWS ABOUT THE PROJECT AND THE BATTERY’S FUTURE, YOU’RE INVITED TO COMPLETE THE PUBLIC SURVEY BETWEEN 1ST AND 19TH FEBRUARY.

YOU CAN ALSO PICK UP A PAPER COPY FROM THE ICA OFFICE IN EASTON (OPPOSITE EASTON PARK) AND A RANGE OF OTHER OUTLETS ACROSS THE ISLAND. 

Read more about the High Angle Battery’s history here:

Wikipedia 

Portland History

Dorset Echo

Nice piece in the Dorset Echo.

For anyone living on Portland (or across the surrounding area) who is eligible for a winter booster vaccination, Portland Hospital’s walk-in clinic will be open on Saturdays 4th and 11th February.

The NHS vaccination team will see as many people as they can while doors are open. This is one of the last chances to get your winter COVID-19 booster.

Further details on the poster below.

You can find out all you need to know about COVID-19 vaccinations here.

Massive thanks to Hall & Woodhouse (The Community Chest Fund) for their generous donation towards Helping Hands, ICA’s project for older people.

Fantastic night out at their Blandford brewery. Would highly recommend a tour.

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Starting Tuesday 3rd January, BBC TV South broadcast a series of features focused on Weymouth & Portland.

These features were inspired by the Forgotten Towns Weymouth, Portland and the Coastal Economy report by Philip Marfleet and Jenny Lennon-Wood (from The South Dorset Research Group)

The features included the following content sections:

• Past – Interviews with former employees at the Portland Dockyard and defence industries on the closures of the 1990s and their impact.
• Current (Youth) – Interviews with Tom Lane and attendees from STEPS Club For Young People, Weymouth.
• Current (older people) – Interviews with Island Community Action and a parent / toddler group at The Islanders Youth and Community Centre, Portland.
• Future – Live broadcast discussion with Councillor Tony Ferrari (Dorset Council).

Watch the complete BBC broadcast here.

Read the written BBC report here.

Read the full report here.

Here is a list of current activities and warm spaces across Portland for December 2022 into 2023.

This is an evolving list that we plan to update monthly. If you are an organisation please let us have any changes or additions by the end of the month for inclusion the following month.

The spaces and activities listed on this timetable are free to attend, however, refreshments and / or snacks may cost extra. Unless otherwise stated, activities are run by the venue at which the activity is held. 

No formals COVID-19 restrictions are currently in place, however, feel free to continue wearing a mask and using sanitiser etc.

MONDAY

Coffee Morning: Bringing the community together over a warm brew. 9.30am-12.00pm at The Islanders Youth and Community Centre, East Weare Road, Verne Common.  Adults only. 

Coffee Morning (run by The Salvation Army): 10.00-11.30am at the Easton Methodist Church, Easton. 

Cuppa and Company: 10:30am-12:00pm at Portland Library, Easton. Space limited due to the library’s size.

The Drop In: Safe, inclusive space for young people. 6.30-8.00pm (for those aged 11-14) at The Portland Community Venue, Three Yards Close, Fortuneswell.

TUESDAY

Coffee Morning: 10.00-11.30am at the Community 2000 Hall (C2000),  Straits, Easton. 

The Drop In: Safe, inclusive space for young people. 6.00-7.30pm (for those aged 8-11) at The Portland Community Venue, Three Yards Close, Fortuneswell.

WEDNESDAY

Coffee Morning with Knit and Natter: 10.00-11.30am at the Easton Methodist Church, Easton. 

Portland Warm Bank (run by Portland Town Council and ICA): Refreshments and social. 10.00am-4.00pm at The Portland Community Venue, Three Yards Close, Fortuneswell. Board games available. 

This and That Craft Group: 10.00-11.30am at St. John’s Church, Fortuneswell. 

The Drop In: Safe, inclusive space for young people. 7.00-9.00pm (for those aged 14-18) at The Portland Community Venue, Three Yards Close, Fortuneswell. 

THURSDAY

Café Church: Refreshments and conversation. 10.00-11.30am at the Easton Methodist Church, Easton. 

Bubble and Rise: Soup lunch and board games. 11.30am-3.00pm at St. John’s Church, Fortuneswell. 

Hobby Lobby: Bring your own craft / hobby or try something new (craft materials can be purchased from venue). 1.30-4.30pm at The Islanders Youth and Community Centre, East Weare Road, Verne Common. Adults only. 

Café R: Food and conversation. 6.00-7.00pm at the Easton Methodist Church, Easton. 

FRIDAY

Coffee, Chat and Bacon Baps: 10.00-11.30am at the Easton Methodist Church, Easton. 

Lunch Club: Cuppa and conversation (warm snacks available). 10.00am-3.00pm at The Islanders Youth and Community Centre, East Weare Road, Verne Common. Board games available to play. 

Portland Museum: Refreshments and conversation. 10.30am-12.30pm. First Friday session for 2023 is Friday 20^thJanuary. Wakeham.

Good Companion Club 50+ (run by St. John Ambulance): Refreshments and conversation. Runs every other Friday. 2.00-4.00pm at the St John Ambulance HQ Hall, Easton Lane.

The Open Arms: Safe, inclusive space for young people. 7.00-9.00pm (for those senior school age upwards) at 41 Easton Square, Easton.

SATURDAY

Community Coffee Morning (run by different organisation each week): Refreshments and conversation. 10.00-11.30am at the Easton Methodist Church, Easton. 

The Open Arms: Safe, inclusive space for young people. 7.00-9.00pm (for those senior school age upwards) at 41 Easton Square, Easton.

SUNDAY

Portland Museum: Refreshments and conversation. 10.30am-12.30pm. First Sunday session for 2023 is Sunday 22^ndJanuary. Wakeham.

OTHER SOURCES OF HELP

Please see our External Support page for a list of local and national organisations that may prove useful over the festive period and beyond. The list covers emergency and general support, from health and wellbeing to finance and legal.