About time, Portland gets a Tesco!

Portland has a Tesco… Open!

The new Tesco on Portland has been a real success since opening recently, having exceeded sales daily, which was more than expected for all of us really, but also drives home the point of how much a decent shopping service was needed here.

Co-op are most likely failing fast here, not that I’d wish any company or business to fail, but they have had the monopoly here for a long time and rightfully, that has ended. They had long enough to give us something back but chose not to.

Shame on them. At least the elderly here can get a good return on their pension when it comes to the shopping.

I am working there on nights, so I know things are selling well as I am sticking the shelves back up again!! You lot eat too many biscuits!

Carry on…

It will be interesting to see what happens around the Tesco store in regards to buildings.

Not been impressed at the roadworks going on in Easton, made worse by the fact they weren’t finished by the time the shop opened!

Then again, not a patch on the cock ups in Weymouth!

As you are part of the community and Tesco does things with the community, the community projects as they are called, have you any ideas to put forward?

If you wanted to put them forward in person, see Roscoe in the store.  Otherwise stick some ideas in the comments.  :D

Guessing most of you have visited the store already, how did you find it? Anything you wish they did stock up on?

I noticed a few people are glad to have somewhere to at last buy cd’s, seems odd in these “mp3″ days, yet we have not had somewhere to buy them here really, so no surprise.

I am glad to not “have” to go to Weymouth if I don’t want to, knowing I can avoid the rip off prices at the co-op and get the stuff I need here is a good thing.

I just hope to have the permanent job now.

My first real “blog from the beach” post, sat on the sea wall enjoying the spring sun and sea breeze. . . Pic taken on the galaxy tab. . . Blogged from the tab too. . .

Been wanting to this for years. . . Woot.

I will be posting about the new tesco on portland next. The launch day went well.

Let’s hope this works well.

Portland's new Tesco site

Portland is soon to have it’s new tesco opening in Easton Square, where the stone firms was, if anyone is unsure.

At the site above… I think it’s pretty placed well within that space, although I would have thought having the car park on the Easton side of the shop and the shops front facing towards Easton would have made more sense.

Overall, it does look good.

Although I have said it may do harm to the smaller shops here, Portland has needed a bigger shop for a long time, at the moment Co-Op is way to expensive for most people to do the weekly shop, so we have to venture abroad, I mean Weymouth.

Glad to say I will be working at Portlands tescos and doing my bit to get them off to a good start, one thing I do like is the fact they do community projects, so that will be interesting to see, what benefits they can bring to the Portland community, but it is also up to the community to make the most of the projects too.

Although the shop is not 24 hours, it is open later then any other shop on the Portland, so that’s a good thing, 11pm is pretty late, personally I thought 12 midnight would be a better time to close.

Hopefully as local produce is often used there will be some opportunities for Portland’s locals to have a beneficial role in supplyng goods, a win win for all concerned.

Let’s hope that Tescos does fit in with Portland and provide a service Portlanders deserve.

I wonder how they will utilise the internet?

Portland is getting what it’s needed, let’s hope it benefits us all, and we benefit them being here.

I have to apologise for the lack of activity here on the Portland-bill site, having had several issues in life getting in the way, you know how it is, life does get in the way at times.

Losing the internet connection due to a broken dongle didn’t help!

One thing I missed which I regret is getting pictures of the little snow we had over xmas, like last year we didn’t get antything like what the rest of the country did, in fact last year we were the only part of the UK to not get snow, it was interesting seeing that on the weather map on the tv, while at a friends at the time, we both laughed and said… “typical Portland!”

I am sure many of the locals did get some good pictures.

I have thankfully still managed to get pics of the ever changing port as it happens, will be interesting to look at the timeline of pictures. A post for the future that, nearer 2012 summer I think, for reasons you can imagine

The supermarket is also nearer to being finished, as far as I know it’s open in february, at least we can get some food at a decent price on the island then.

We should see some changes on the island if they are to have some “legacy” from the Olympics, as they say they will, and it IS on Portland after all.

The sailing alone is not a legacy to the locals, that’s a neccessity for the Oylmpics… else there are none!

I’d like to see some of that money being spent on the island itself… if they hadn’t wasted millions on the useless road updates, which will, mark my words
cause problems how it’s set up, then maybe we could have had some improvements to the island… getting rid of the eyesores and modernising things, like Victoria square and fortuneswell… which are both deadbeat dumps as they are.

Sad really. Portland needs sorting out.

Glad to have got a few things sorted out and back online, just wanted to get this post up so you all know where I am. Will also need to do a few updates on here and other blogs.

Hoping you are all well?

Gonna be dizzy after that!

Portland fair arrived for three days of fun, wasn’t sure they would be here after hosting the fair in spring earlier in the year, which made sense seeing how after the move from the street here in Chiswell to the patch of grass near Victoria sq, things seemed to change, the fair atmosphere was never going to be the same again and the weather doesn’t usually play ball.

Well, it arrived, now I wonder if it will also be here in the spring next year?  …

If it is going to be here twice a year, at least to see what would make the better choice… I think eventually the spring one would be the better choice, seeing where the fair is, it suits the warmer weather. When it was in Chiswell it was good to have it around Nov 5th, as it always used to be, the weather didn’t matter much then, the atmosphere kept you warm!

Personally I think if the rides were a little cheaper then more people would be there, it IS expensive, the parents who I have spoken to felt they wouldn’t stay long seeing the prices. Understandable.

I didn’t actually go down there this year to be honest, I couldn’t be bothered!

Bea did though and took a few great pictures, as you see here… good work Bea!

The one above shows the column which is one of two that stands here… the “Portland gateway” as the council would have you believe…

Blue... very blue!

This was called the superstar, as far as I can tell, a striking colour that is, I like it.

Having new rides keeps the interest up, at least for the younger ones, just as when we were young we wondered “what’s new?”

Not sure they will be having new ones twice a year…

But twice a year, a good idea, or not?

If not, do you feel spring is better than autumn or vice versa?

Ye Old Windmill!

Portland’s Old Windmills which sit behind Weston street, this one is the one of the two which is complete, the other is falling apart a little.

Growing up in Weston st I have some good memories of this area, one thing we used to do back then was play in the fields between this windmill and our back yards, there’s a football field between them too, good times!

One of my memories community wise, was of those nights we all, that is all the street, used to go and do some taddie picking… that’s potatoes to you.

We had some good twilight nights up there filling sacks up, chips and boiled tatties for weeks on end… went well with all the fish we seemed to eat back then…

It seems it’s been a common thing through the past… as you see below…

… it was also regular thing for some, I don’t doubt people had a laugh while they were picking, we al did, all us kids were out in force and it was a good time to gel with everyone else in the street, it’s because of this sort of thing we all knew each other, not so common nowadays, hardly anyone knows who lives in their own street anymore.

Shame… but here’s is another great poem by Bob… thanks to Sylv again.

TADDIE PICKIN’

you’m pickin’ taddies Saturday
young Buff – so don’t be late,
Fathers payin’ us two – Bob each
and thats the goin’ rate

Young Dick and Ivan, Sky and Ducky -
I hear are comin’ too,
And some of them have got the yarn -
they’ve ask Ma Twiggy Boo.

Our Mothers packin’ grub for us,
bread cheese and taddy cake -
Cold tea with milk and sugar in -
No Beer for Eli’s sake.

Cos last time Eli ploughed fer we -
he left his hoss named Prince -
And disappeared down Wesson way
He ain’t been heard of since.

They say in went in Prince Alfred -
to meet his boozin’ pals
But some-un seen him gorn down “Slobbs”
hangin’ to “Skiffs” cows tail.

Now after we have loaded cart -
to take the crop back home -
We’ll burn the hulm – and roast the spuds -
“You hear our Mother moan”.

She’ll say “You smell like “Trots” pole car -
From all that stinkin’ smoke” -
“You git they trousers off my son -
for I gi you a poke”.

“And git your back-side in thick bath -
in front of kitchen fire”
“You git thick neck of your scrubbed un -
Don’t tell me your too tired”.

“And don’t forget to take your pills -
and Scots Emulsion too, -
Your clean night shirt – An’ coombe your hair -
“then up they stairs you goo”.

How memories come flooding back -
of good times that we had,
It seemed as though we never passed
through times when we were sad.

Taddy Pickin’ was the hight-light
of our lives in early days -
It gave us fun – it gave us food -
And memories for the Way.

Bob Wollage – April 4th l982.

So… taddies for tea tonight?!

Sounds like they enjoyed it as much as we all did, did you go taddie picking?

I’m sure many of you will remember these days we went up picking.

Portland.

Portland, somewhere many of us are proud to call home, home in the sense of that’s where the heart is.

I do wonder if that will still be the case in 20 years from now, seeing how things are changing so rapidly,  change does lesson the “community” aspect, it is clear that community spirit was stronger in the past, it was stronger in my own childhood than it is these days so I know that to be a truth.

We are losing “Old Portland” …

Old Portland? Well, this poem by Bob is certainly Old Portland! …

WE DREE

Yes Sir, we’m Portland Chesilbacks an’ proud to carr’ her name,
Portland’s name is known Worldwide, her stwone, it reached Top Fame.

Her Masons too, hold their own, with best men in the land,
In that Wide Street dusty shed, ther’ reigned a worthy Band

With Jimmy, Frank and Lawyer Fan, leading through the years,
They sometimes wacked us rebel lads, a straight edge to our rears.

For Stwone resisted, loath to yield, can break your very soul,
When you’re fourteen years of age, can drive one up the wall.

Into this long suffering storm, of Blood, Sweat and Tears,
Young Sky, George and Bob, surveyed the unborn years.

They toiled on through Peace and War, discouraged – in dispair -
Ever-hoping in their hearts, that she’d be waiting there.

Now they knew that Mistress Stwone, would rule them all – for life,
they knowing from experience, she’d be an iron wife.

And so they served her to the end – fifty years or more,
Now their lives in Portland Stwone – is etched in Island Lore.

Bob wrote this in January 1991. I imagine the three were Skylark Durston, Bob Wollage and possibly George Davey (don’t know whether he was a mason) …

Thanks go to Sylv for that peach of a poem.

I recently wrote about Portland Stonemasons, sadly and pretty ironically the same day the biggest stone firm on Portland made many of my friends redundant, not the first time it’s happened either, Jeff Smith who own(ed) it did it several years ago right on Christmas, a real kick in the teeth. He didn’t even have the guts to stay and face people, running off on holiday like the coward he is and leaving everyone in the lurch. Nice bloke… not!

It is a sad state of affairs when people like him can do this sort of thing and not be punished in some way for it, he will no doubt set up a new firm name, take all the masons back on, then do it all again in a few years.

Although I understand people have mortgages to pay and such but the best thing that could happen is for all these masons to refuse to work for him again. I know, easier said than done, but I for one would never work for him again if that’s how he treats people.

I think there is much more than meets the eye with this situation, wonder how long until we find out?

As a follow up to the last post, here is another great poem by Bob Wollage, kindly sent to me by Sylv. Thanks Sylv.

PROUD PORTLANDS LAMENT RIP

For many years Portland’s Stone Heart paid it’s way
With a quiet natural beauty for those that chose to stay,
Trusting them to care for it as we have done for years
Now tis gone, the fading few that mourn with bitter tears.

Then in the Portland Quarries where we had spent our lives
Were brought up by out-siders and greed and profit thrived
Our young men had to leave us could not efford to stay
And so the Portland life blood was quickly drained away.

With-out the Island children no way could it survive
Went with it their rare knowledge it could not stay alive,
It’s future did depend on them, but no one led the way,
So the Portland Stone trade died, in a genecidal way.

Bob Wollage – February 1994

Quite apt don’t you think?

I am hoping my friends (masons) are all ok and not letting this get them down too much, after all, it’s likely they will be offered another job when the new firm is started up… shame that someone else couldn’t own it.

Another nail in the coffin of the Portland Stone trade.

Lovely things!

Portland is most famously known for it’s stone, and top quality it is.

Most of you will have seen it in the well known buildings of London, and elsewhere around the world, yes, Portland is scattered all over the place.

It’s a great medium to work with.

Having worked it myself enough to know, I think we Portland masons were lucky to have such a good stone to learn with, work with.

It’s neither very hard like marble nor too soft like Bath … it’s just right.

Stonemasonry is one of those skilled trades that seems to be dying off slowly, like roof thatchers and the like …  especially around here with the stone seemingly slabbed off at a very rapid rate for floor tiles, rather than being carved into something special, these days.

Plus the closure of the biggest stone firm on Portland didn’t help.

Here is another great poem by bob Wollage …

THE STONE MASON

His ancient skills have passed the test of time,
To give of grandeur, symmetry and rhyme
The crumbling wind-kissed ruins of Rome and Greece,
Are epitaphs that sing and never cease.

He wanders through this fleeting life unknown,
To resurrect torn cities – flesh and bone,
To heal and beautify – to build and mourn -
To give new hope to lineage – yet unborn.

But in this changing, seething world today -
With trades – traditions – crafts just cast away;
Those Men of Stone – with all their Glorious past -
Will bear the toilsome burden to the last

Bob Wollage 1980

Seems Bob feared this trade fading out even back then.

Having stopped doing stonemason work myself, I do miss it a little bit, not much though, more the camaraderie we all had.

Back in the day, the masons would all sing songs and beat their mallets in tune, thankfully knowing who I was working with, this was not so common when I trained and worked in the stone firms.

Sorry lads.

Even if I never pick up my mallet again and carve, I know that my legacy is already out there, secured in amazing buildings over the world, they will be there long after I have hopped off this mortal coil we call life.

If not already a fan, I have added the box on the sidebar here, (a simple one click (like) and done) I have over 800 so far… I would love to hit 1000 fans by the end of the year, maybe you can help with that? Thanks.

In reality I have added more than that…

Portland Bill community, your comments matter

As well as this I have added a new facebook commenting system, not to replace the blogs own, but to allow more of you to leave a comment easily. Hopefully more of you will, although I still prefer the blogs own comment system be used…

The main reason for that is when this blog was on it’s last set up, on Blogger I added intensedebate, which meant the blogs own comments were turned off… as you know, lot’s of comments (over 100) were lost when I made the switch.  I don’t want that to happen again, should it be possible, much rather keep all the comments made.

With the standard blogging commenting system, it’s all tiered, in line and is a big important part of the blog itself, you add to the blog by comments, it becomes a conversation, I’d like to keep them.

Portland bill fans spread the word

There are a few different benefits and cons to using this set up from my first look, only time will tell if it’s right or not …

I knew many of you on facebook were not leaving comments, no idea why that is, but I know many of you have something interesting to add, I often see it on facebook itself… so I decided to add this hoping maybe it helps you post a comment. as to you it looks like a… status!

You use them anyway. Some are funny too!

EDIT: I had to stop using that set up as it was never working 100% for everyone, so I had to change it, now I have enabled a facebook log in set up, that means the comments stay on here but you can still also share on your profile, please check it out below.

So I added the best plug in I could find that would allow me to try it out, glad I did so far, yet…

I realise that there is a bit more to this set up than I first thought, it was only after adding it and actually testing things out I realised it was more than a comment.

Commenting is sharing

When you leave a comment on the blog system, that’s generally it, whereas on the facebook commenting set up, it allows you to also share that comment with your friends while also sharing the linked post itself for them to check out if they choose to, they also get the context in which your comment / status fits, knowing what the heck you are talking about helps, always.

This also benefits this blog by getting it’s content in front of people (your friends) which I would otherwise not be able to do. Thanks for that! All you do is leave a comment on any post you read.

For those of you who have blogs, websites I have also added a box ad on the sidebar for this blog with a link that you can grab and post on your own, should you wish to, just simply copy paste the code from that box of text and add to a html or text widget. Done.

Thank you for being a reader, commenter… and welcome to all new commenters.

Over to you…