In 2011, I wrote my thoughts regarding the coming of the 2012 Olympics to Portland. 3 years on and two years after the event, perhaps I was right? You be the judge.
With less than 1 year to go until the Olympics Sailing Events start here in Portland, one wonders at the debacle that leads us to this current juncture. Much has been said about the “Legacy” which is one of the main reasons that so many people got behind the bid for the Olympics to be held here. But now leading up to the Olympic Sailing… the Folk of Portland are wondering where that Legacy is and exactly what form will it take? And will we really get one?
Yes, Portland has a brand new Sailing Academy with landscaped areas and hundreds of Halyards flapping against the aluminium and wooden masts of graceful yachts berthed alongside a plethora of pontoons overlooking the impressive Portland Harbour.
The new Bypass from Dorchester… is all ready and waiting to speed the sailors to this most wonderful of lands. The town on the mainland with the sandy beach bedecked in the most pathetic of traffic light systems ever devised. The shutting down of public areas to the locals… just so they can charge countless pounds to allow for the influx of spectators, all watching the races from the shore… watching the sailboats all in a clump… not ever knowing who is in the lead, because, all you can see is…well…just boats!
I watch the local TV News… A presenter stands by Portland Castle, piece to camera, microphone in hand…”Hello, and welcome to WEYMOUTH” When will it end? The Portland Sailing Academy is in PORTLAND! How many more times?
With so few days remaining, Portland is still wondering about the ‘Legacy’. We are still awaiting the same money spent on the mainland to be spent here on Portland…Where is our Legacy? So, the 30 or so portable flagpoles that have recently been dotted around the Isle… Is that what the waiting world wants to see? A derelict, neglected Isle that was once a jewel in the English Channel… Her famous Stone giving cities around the world such grandeur, such elegance!
Yet poor Portland… Guts ripped out…lost…forgotten… Now finds itself on the world stage again, but this time the modern decay reaches out for help, for fi nance, for love… Just to be covered over with the proverbial dust sheet! “Yes, just flu ff it up a bit with some flags and perhaps the sailors and spectators won’t notice, hope they visit the north and not bother with what’s South of Victoria Square…Don’t go there! Tis full of inbreds….” I believe that is the notion of those with authority on the mainland and dare I say… LOCOG?
I am painting a bleak picture I know. I am aware that Portland is derelict, and un-fi nanced…and it breaks my heart! I remember what it was like in the early 70’s, Alive, Vibrant….Clean. Yet today, with the promise of so much turning out to be so little… for a fleeting moment, I pictured Portland how she used to be… those memories made me smile. But reality jolts me back to the now. No cash for us! No help on the horizon…. We shall just watch the new world from our drab dusty windows… as the wonderful Royal Manor continues to decay, whilst the mainlanders join with the world to sip Pimms on the prom and guffaw at the lonely rock forever in the shadows.
Andy Straw
