What an incredible day we’ve had with Portland Youth Council as they visited Parliment to share their concerns and ideas with Lloyd Hatton MP for South Dorset.

The 14 young people aged 12yrs to 15yrs, did the Island, their parents and schools proud. They confidently presented their experiences and research across seven different topics, from protecting Portland’s natural spaces and local SEN provision to affordable activities and access to health care. They then listened attentively as Lloyd Hatton outlined the work that he and central Government are doing to address these challenges.

A tour of the Palace of Westminster followed, along with the opportunity to watch MPs debating the new Green Energy Bill in Parliament from the Public Gallery.

We finished the day in the London Dungeons, being scared stiff whilst learning about the darker side of London’s past.

A huge thank you to Portland Town Council’s Cllr Sue Cocking for accompanying us on the trip, and to Lloyd Hatton and his team for hosting us. Also thanks to Excelsior Coaches Ltd and Atlantic Academy Portland for their continued support of Portland Youth Council.

Portland Youth Council is gratefully part funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and Portland Town Council.

A little while ago we were able to ‘hook’ 1st Portland Beaver pack up with some talented superstars from our Hooked group. They created a soft and safe indoor campfire, complete with toasting marshmallows, for them to practice their camping skills!

Hooked is a social crochet and knitting group for under 50s that meets at Starbucks every Tuesday evening from 6.30-8 pm. All abilities welcome.

A reminder that Portland Town Council‘s consultation for the Royal Manor Field Muga closes on Sunday 11th January.

This is a great opportunity to have your say and feed into the development ideas for the site.

Please share as wide as possible.

On behalf of our community, who have nominated this group, we want to express our deepest gratitude to the volunteers at Stop Portland Waste Incinerator, in particular, Debbie and Sandy, whose dedication, determination and integrity have guided this campaign for the past seven years.

This team have shown what community leadership looks like, and how powerful ordinary people can be when they stand together for what is right.

They have stood up for the island with extraordinary courage, raising phenomenal amounts of money, carrying out meticulous research, organising community protests and giving countless hours of voluntary work — often at considerable personal cost.

Although the appeal result was not what any of us hoped for, it is important to say clearly: no-one could have done more, fought harder or cared more deeply than this team. Their efforts have inspired respect, unity and pride across Portland and most importantly delayed the building process.

As they now step back, after years of hard work, we want them to know how deeply appreciative the Island is. Their commitment has made a lasting impact, and we are profoundly grateful for everything they have done.

If you are looking to further action against the Waste Incinerator then a new group has been established under the name of Stop Portland Incinerator Campaign. Information can be found on this page or you can email: portlandincineratorcampaign@gmail.com.

For 12 days leading up to Christmas, we will be highlighting a charity, organisation or community group that has been nominated by members of our community.

This group of young people, Portland Youth Council, have been nominated by members of the community to be recognised for giving up on average 40+ hours of their own individual time a year to champion youth voice and fundraise for and deliver activities/events for other young people.

These and past members have worked incredibly hard over the past four years to understand what young people need and want on Portland and act responsively in order to make positive change based on their findings.

This last year the group have delivered a campaign, Protecting and Respecting Local Wildlife and Public Spaces, campaign as well as putting on related activities and events for families, children and their peers – events and activities they spent all year fundraising for.

Often dealing with their own personal challenges plus getting to grips with teenagerhood, these individuals still put aside time to make a real difference in their community and try to change the perception that all teenagers are trouble makers. They are truly inspirational!

For 12 days leading up to Christmas, we will be highlighting a charity, organisation or community group that has been nominated by members of our community.

Jo and her team from Hedgehog Friendly Portland work tirelessly and commendably around the clock to respond to the needs of hedgehogs that require rescue and rehabilitation. Every year, they save around 200 hogs and hoglets, which can come from a wide range of places, including other counties, South and West Dorset, Dorchester, Weymouth, Wyke Regis, and, of course, here on Portland.

Not only does this charity work to save hedgehogs on the ‘front line’, but they also spread awareness and education about these remarkable creatures, encouraging people to respect and care for them in the hope that many more can be saved through prevention.

Hedgehog Friendly Portland reminds us that it’s not just the people on Portland that make it great, it’s also the wonderful creatures that we share our island with!

Thank you to all the volunteers of this charity for all their hard work in protecting our spikey friends!

For 12 days leading up to Christmas, we will be highlighting a charity, organisation or community group that has been nominated by members of our community.

Today we’d like to shine a light on the amazing team of volunteers at the Dorset Blind Association charity shop in Easton.

The shops team, namely Andrew and Zoe, have created a warm and friendly addition to Easton, greeting every customer with enthusiasm, positivity, and attention.

What’s more, every item donated and bought makes a real difference in helping the Dorset Blind Association achieve its mission to support people living with visual impairment across the county through practical help, the provision of specialist equipment, social groups and emotional support.

Because of the commitment of the shop’s volunteers, individuals and families facing sight loss can access the services they need to stay independent, confident and connected.

Portland Youth Council made the very wet trip up to Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens to explore their Illuminate at the Subtropical Gardens installation and gain some insight from Charlie at O T Event Technicians LTD about the planning, hard work, time and money that goes into pulling this amazing spectacle off.

This trip makes up a full programme of training to empower the group to pull off their own event for other young people in July 2026!

For 12 days leading up to Christmas, we will be highlighting a charity, organisation or community group that has been nominated by members of our community.

On behalf of our community, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the incredible volunteer team behind the Portland Leg Club. Their dedication, kindness and commitment have made an extraordinary difference to the lives of so many people on the island.

Each week they offer vital support to those dealing with leg and circulation problems, providing care, advice and reassurance in a safe and welcoming environment.

The Club’s offer goes far beyond medical help. For those who are isolated or lonely, sometimes not seeing another person from one week to the next, for example, the Leg Club provides a lifeline — a place to talk, laugh and feel part of something, and to know they are not alone.

The Club’s volunteers give their time generously, treating everyone with dignity and compassion and, in doing so, they bring comfort and increased confidence to those who attend.

Thank you for all you do, and for making our community a stronger, kinder and more connected place.

Royal Manor Health Care

We would like to take this opportunity to say a massive thank you to Portland United Service Lodge 3473 for their incredibly generous donation of £1,500 towards our services for older and vulnerable people on Portland.

In particular, we are hugely grateful for the fundraising efforts of Freemason Richard Fagan (front), seen here with colleagues John Hancock (left) and Ben Cartwright (middle) + members of the ICA staff and volunteer team.

This contribution will certainly make a big difference to the lives of our most vulnerable clients.

Happy Christmas to you all xxx