The Modern Village

Above : The original part of the village viewed from the north track. Road on opposite side of the valley climbs to Yuill Farm's diary sheds. (RC 2018)

Below : Same area but viewed from track on south side of valley looking north west.

Above : Drone photo by Peter Norbury of Orchard Cottage WS (June 2024)

Below : Drone photo by Peter Norbury of Orchard Cottage WS (Nov 2024)

The National Grid VIP project :

This huge £500m project (funded by consumers nationally) was shortlisted from 12 No sites nationally. At 8km (5 miles) it was the largest project of the 4 No schemes carried out. The main driver for the project was the removal of the large National Grid pylons within the AONB that ran over the Ridgeway to feed Weymouth. It is understood that this particular supply was larger than normal as it was originally planned (in the 1950's) to serve a nuclear power station on the Fleet adjoining Chesil Beach.

Above : View from southern parish boundary looking north. In 2019, the National Grid started its multi million pound project to remove some 8kM (5 miles) of overhead power lines and pylons and to bury new power lines underground. Unfortunately, the smaller local power lines are to remain and the carbon footprint of the works must be off the scale !! Lots of archeological excavations though. (Photo RC 2020)

Above: Close up of inland Coast Path on boundary with a light controlled crossing. (Photo RC 2020)

Below : The works viewed looking south west from north side of valley with new cable route and existing pylons. (Photo RC March 2021)

Above : Underground cable installation (Photo NG)

Above : Demolition of a pylon. Feet were cut through and it was then pulled over with a long steel cable. (Photo NG)

Above : A lot of archaeology was undertaken by Oxford Archaeology Ltd. This was take some years to catalogue and write up. It is understood that the finds will be deposited in the Dorset Museum finally.

Left : Just to the south of the parish is The Hardy Monument (22m - 72ft high) built in 1844 in honour of Nelson's Flag Captain at Trafalgar. Hardy lived in Portesham, the village to the south of this South Dorset Ridgeway. It was built to resemble a spyglass and is still used by shipping at sea as a landmark - visible for 60 miles on a clear day. An unusual sight clad in scaffolding ! (Photo RC July 2011)

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