Little Beach
Little Beach is a small secluded beach on the eastern side of Portland, located at East Weares, below Grove Point. The East Weares area, including Little Beach, has been labelled a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), largely due to the surrounding scrub and wildlife being of high nature conservation value.
Background
Along with Church Ope Cove further south along the eastern side of Portland, Little Beach is one of the few beaches on the island. However, unlike the one at Church Ope, Little Beach is often undisturbed. At the back of it, the soft Kimmeridge Clay stratum that Portland sits on can be seen.
As part of Portland's anti-invasion measures during World War II, a minefield was placed above Little Beach and at other sites across East Weares. Laid out in 1940, the minefield killed two American servicemen on 27 July 1944. The incident was witnessed by Frank Dawe of Yeovil, a member of the Royal Observer Corps on duty at the observation post at Grove Point, along with Gordon Black, a local who lived in Grove village. The minefield was later cleared by 1946.
References
The following is an A-Z list of references for this page. The primary sources are in italics.
1) Exploring Portland - Salt Pans, a Dead Whale and - a Mine! - Geoff Kirby - website page
2) Pastscape - Monument No. 1420420 - website page
3) Wikipedia Commons - Photograph of goat information sign at East Weares - website page
Background
Along with Church Ope Cove further south along the eastern side of Portland, Little Beach is one of the few beaches on the island. However, unlike the one at Church Ope, Little Beach is often undisturbed. At the back of it, the soft Kimmeridge Clay stratum that Portland sits on can be seen.
As part of Portland's anti-invasion measures during World War II, a minefield was placed above Little Beach and at other sites across East Weares. Laid out in 1940, the minefield killed two American servicemen on 27 July 1944. The incident was witnessed by Frank Dawe of Yeovil, a member of the Royal Observer Corps on duty at the observation post at Grove Point, along with Gordon Black, a local who lived in Grove village. The minefield was later cleared by 1946.
References
The following is an A-Z list of references for this page. The primary sources are in italics.
1) Exploring Portland - Salt Pans, a Dead Whale and - a Mine! - Geoff Kirby - website page
2) Pastscape - Monument No. 1420420 - website page
3) Wikipedia Commons - Photograph of goat information sign at East Weares - website page
Gallery
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