ALL-WEATHER information boards erected by the Portland Gas Trust at the Old Engine Shed, East Weares will safeguard an important part of Portland’s history for future generations. The historical information points, funded by a grant from DEFRA’s COMMA fund, describe how the Old Engine Shed and surrounding land was used in the 19th Century and the flora and fauna that exists there today.

The two boards are set in substantial Portland roach stone and reveal the history of the Old Engine Shed, details about Portland Harbour, how the quarrying used to be conducted and the specific types of wildlife and plants in the area. The boards are easy to find - sited along the coastal path next to the Old Engine Shed.

The COMMA fund grant was part of a wider donation the Trust received. In all £4,000 was given for the purchase of work tools, skip hire, the removal of rubbish, dry-stone walling courses and the designing and installing of the information panels.

The Portland Gas Trust is committed to local initiatives that support education, geology and the environment.

Rachel Barton, Trustee at the Portland Gas Trust, said: ‘These important boards give considerable insight into Portland’s unique history and are one further step in the Trust’s commitment to developing understanding of Portland and the surrounding area’s unique geological and environmental structure – we think visitors and Portlanders alike will find them an invaluable tool for seeing how the area was historically used.’

 View or download the release

HISTORIC dry-stone walls on Portland are being saved by young volunteers from the Young Offenders Institute and members of the public keen to learn techniques from the past. Funded by the Portland Gas Trust, the walls next to the Old Engine Shed at East Weares are being restored to their original design using traditional mid-nineteenth century building methods.

Over the winter months, dry-stone wall expert Sean Seaman has taught young offenders and other interested groups the skills needed to learn this traditional walling method. The volunteers’ work is progressing and the dilapidated walls near the Old Engine Shed are on course to be finished by early spring - returning the cliff wall to its 1850s glory. Dry-stone walling is extremely durable but became seen as an antiquated, laborious building method in the 1960s. As well as being long-lasting, it’s high on the list of environmentally friendly building methods - the stones are already there and use no binding agents to stick together. Once built, the wall creates a mini eco-climate for a host of flora, fauna and animal-life, keen to find shelter and stability in a natural setting.

The Portland Gas Trust is committed to local initiatives that support education, geology and the environment.

 If you’re interested in learning the traditional craft of dry-stone walling, free course places are available to all members of the public on March 29 and March 30 at the Old Engine Shed. To book - please contact Rachel Barton on 01305 824 144 (All individuals or groups welcome).

 View or download the release

THE parent company of Portland Gas has changed its name to Infrastrata plc.

The company immediately responsible for the local project being developed on Portland will continued to be called Portland Gas.

The plc name change was made at the annual general meeting yesterday (15 December 2009).

Andrew Hindle, CEO of Infrastata, said: ‘The name change reflects the company’s ambitions to develop salt cavern gas storage facilities in a range of locations and countries. As far as the Dorset project is concerned, it’s business as usual for Portland Gas.’

The Portland Gas Trust, which is pledged to deliver more than £2 million of funding in community projects, is unaffected by the change.

 View or download the release

The traditional art of dry-stone walling is being taught on 20^th and 21^st November and 2^nd and 3^rd December at the Old Engine Shed, East Weares, Portland. Funded by the Portland Gas Trust, the classes - available to all members of the public will help safeguard the walls surrounding the historic building. To book your place, please contact Rachel Barton on 01305 824 144 (All individuals or groups welcome).

Dry-stone wall expert Sean Seaman will guide individuals keen to learn, providing a thorough basis for students to learn the techniques needed for this traditional building method.

The invited teams will rebuild key sections of a dilapidated wall near the Old Engine Shed over four separate sessions. One of the sessions (21^st November) will be handled by inmates from the Young Offender Institution, keen to take part and learn techniques from the past.

Dry-stone walling is extremely durable but has become seen as an antiquated, laborious building method. However, as well as being long-lasting, it's high on the list of environmentally friendly building methods - the stones are already there and use no binding agents to stick together. Once built, the wall creates a mini eco-climate for a host of flora, fauna and animal-life, keen to find shelter and stability in a natural setting.

The Portland Gas Trust is committed to local initiatives that support education, geology and the environment. The Old Engine Shed is a grade II listed building that The Portland Gas Trust plans to restore in a manner in keeping with its heritage. The roof will be re-slated and the interior walls will remain unplastered to preserve its industrial character. When restored, the centre will enhance existing initiatives on the island and further visitors' understanding of Portland's unique geology and history.

Rachel Barton, Trustee at the Portland Gas Trust, said: ‘Over the years, the skills behind dry-stone walling have often been overlooked for quicker, more modernised building techniques. The Portland Gas Trust is committed to refurbishing the Old Engine Shed using traditional methods. These courses will offer people in the area the ability to learn and understand a lost craft, while helping safeguard an important part of Portland's heritage to its original style.'

 View or download the release