Portland has large areas of Trees. Around Pennsylvania Castle, there is a veritable forest as you walk down from Wakeham to the ruins of St Andrew's Church and Church Ope cove. Before the Norman invasion of 1066, tis' said, that this area was at the centre of the Island...Until a Tsunami devastated the East side.
Other Trees can be found dotted around the Isle, and many can be found surrounding "Old Hill" (Shown Left).
Old Hill has survived the Isle by many thousands of years, and was the main route for the Uplanders of "Underhill" to get to the top, to the Downlanders of "Tophill", and visa versa.
In Victorian times, the rough dirt path was transformed by the laying of cobbles and stone and Iron railings to prevent the local gentry getting their elegant clothing from getting soiled.
The cobbles have long gone from this most ancient of hills, but the Stone posts of the guide rails can still be seen, although not entirely intact. Some have disappeared over time, and no doubt, now lie in some local gardens without the owners knowing what they are or from whence they came.
This Hill was also lit by wonderful cast Iron gas lamps, so Portlanders were not hindered in their travels due to on-coming darkness.
Today? the path remains...Un-loved, and unkempt. But nonetheless, still regularly used. The ideals and the fashions may have changed, but I still get the image of the gentry...Ladies with sun umbrella's and floaty gowns. Men with top hats and waking sticks, children climbing on the rails as I walk the "Old Hill"...Knowing in my heart, that I tread the footsteps of thousands of years.
Thanks for listening! Andy
well, I've learned something from that. I never knew this beautiful jewel of an island had been hit by a tsunami. When I've heard about tsunamis in recent years, I've often wondered how we would fare on the island, hope I never have the opportunity to find out!! It is wonderful to learn of the history of Portland, no matter what the subject, characters, geographical, buildings, whatever. A nice piece Andy, thank you for sharing your knowledge x
ReplyDeleteBrings back a few memories Andy, When I was at Royal Manor (Tophill School) and playing soccer Mike Snelling used to take us training in our dinner hours twice a week. We had to jog up to 'Old Hill' and then jog down the 1st bit and then pair up and run back up with your PARTNER ON YOUR BACK. I could just manage this with the late Andy Warley on my back but in the 4 years we played he could never get me more than 2/3rds of the way up.When I was 14 I got a summer job working for a Southampton Firm laying the New Telephone Cable Ducts all over Portland and drove a dumper up and down the 'Hill'. NIce memories JT
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