Heritage artefacts going on show at Nothe Fort, Weymouth for Heritage Roadshow

Portland Museum will have a small selection of artefacts on show from its collection spanning the past 165 million years for visitors to see and they will be seeking the visitor to the Heritage Roadshow who has the greatest knowledge of Portland's Heritage. A trophy will go to the person with the highest number of continuous correct answers who will be named the 'Portland Heritage Mastermind' for 2020 at the end of the day.

Portland Museum in the autumn

Weymouth Museum’s collection ranges from the early Jurassic period, through Roman, Tudor and Georgian times, right up to the present day. On Sunday, they will looking at Weymouth’s most recent history as a seaside resort, presenting a taste of seaside fun from days gone by and asking the question: is there a seaside humour?

Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton who successfully led the campaign to abolish slavery in 1833. Picture: Courtesy of Graham Perry

The Thomas Fowell Buxton Society was formed in 2010 to celebrate and inform people about the man who was MP for Weymouth and Melcombe Regis from 1818 until 1837. Their stall will enable you to find out more about this renowned social reformer who successfully led the campaign to abolish slavery throughout the Empire in 1833.

The recently painted and refurbished Old Town Hall

The Old Town Hall will be detailing its history from Tudor times and bringing photos and posters of past and future events at the hall as well as historic photos of the High Street to commemorate the imminent re-installation of the High Street sign, stolen some years ago.

The Tudor House museum on Trinity Street is one of Weymouth’ most treasured Tudor buildings. They will present a display of reproductions of 17th century clothing and a costumed volunteer will be on hand to provide further information about the colours and fabrics available at the time, and how the clothing was constructed.

Tudor House Museum just prior to its restoration exactly 60 years ago Picture: Weymouth Museum

The Friends of Radipole Parks and Gardens will be displaying historic images from their successful £1.4m lottery bid showing how attempts were made to turn the Backwater into one of Weymouth’s greatest assets. You will also be able to find out about the world renowned landscape designer who created plans for Weymouth’s post WWI expansion and some grand schemes that never quite materialised. And, of course, you can learn about Radipole Park & Gardens exciting future.

Portland Castle is one of Henry VIII's finest coastal forts, built in the early 1540s to protect against French and Spanish invasion. You will be able to find out more about the history of this popular heritage attraction, including the part it played in the First and Second World Wars.

Portland Castle in the 1920s Picture: Weymouth Museum

The Castletown D-Day Centre tells the story of the vital role played by Portland Harbour in the Normandy Invasion of World War II. Dressed in period uniforms to tell us about this world changing event, they will also be bringing along a Willys Jeep and BSA motorbike with sidecar from their collection.

Visitors will be able to see Nothe Fort’s Cold War history and secret bunker on small group tours.

Cold War Comms Room in the Nothe Fort

Not normally open to the public, the bunker was where those people chosen to lead Weymouth at the time of a nuclear attack would live in protected rooms. The newly refreshed Victorian gun deck will also be open with access to the Carponnier roof. On the North Terrace, the new benches will be on display showing scenes from the history Nothe Fort and Weymouth.

Other organisations that will be represented include the historic St George’s Church on Portland and the Friends of Sandsfoot Castle and the Rodwell Trail.

The Nothe Fort will be open to the public from 11am to 4pm with the last entry at 3pm but pre-booking on the Nothe Fort website is essential.