THE proposed Mass Extinction Memorial Observatory (Memo), which would be positioned close to the island's eastern coastline, will be highlighted for the public with various events within this coming week.

The Memo project, which would depict images of extinct plant and animal species on a stone monument, is the idea of sculptor/stonemason Sebastian Brooke who is currently based in Monmouth but lived, studied and worked for several years in Portland and Weymouth.

The importance of the project and its favoured site is shown in the support he has from The Royal Society, the Eden Project and the Dean of St Paul's Cathedral amongst others.

It also has the support in principle of Portland Town Council and the Weymouth and Portland Partnership and local residents have been working with Seb to advance the project.

The aim now is to discuss and consult on the project prior to submission of a planning application.

The favoured site is on the high ground between Church Ope Cove and Grove Point with pedestrian access from the coastal footpath and from Bumpers Lane, an ideal location which enjoys spectacular views along the south east section of the Portland coast and much of the Purbeck coast.

David Adjaye, architect of the Nobel Peace Centre in Oslo and Rivington Place, the recently built public art gallery in London, has offered to act as architectural adviser.

As a forerunner to seeking planning permission and to show the benefits to Portland in terms of local, national and international interest, a minifestival' has been arranged which will be entertaining and informative, academic and practical and will give the opportunity for the public to join in discussing the project and its backgound.

It will start with an evening of talks by Sir Ghillean Prance, director of science at the Eden Project and previously director of Kew Gardens, and Seb Brooke who will both be present at the Royal Manor Arts College (RMAC) at 7pm tomorrow.

On Saturday and Sunday, the Stone Carving Festival will be held off Bumpers Lane in Wakeham where there is only parking for the disabled but, to overcome this, there will be park and ride from New Ground from 9am to 6pm.

No experience is needed to help the sculptors carve six stone monoliths - 6ft high pillars given by Stone Firms Ltd - and each will depict an extinct species and will include a floorscape by Peter Randall-Page.

At 5pm on Saturday, the public can see the casting of a bronze bell by bell sculptor Marcus Vergette and bronze founder Andy Griffiths and then watch the bell being extracted from its mould on Sunday at 5pm.

There is no charge for any of these events nor for the evening talks given by prominent speakers at the RMAC, each starting at 7pm.

On Friday, local historian Stuart Morris will talk about the history of Portland Stone Quarrying and Seb Brooke will explain his vision of the Memo project.

On Saturday, The Extinction Of The Yangtze Dolphin will be Dr Sam Turvey's subject and on Sunday, Dorset's Professor Hugh Torrens will be exploring the role of Dorset in the history of Earth sciences.

On Monday and Tuesday, May 19-20, at RMAC, there will be a one-man show, Hanging Hooke, about the life of 17th century scientist Robert Hooke by Take the Space Theatre Company.

There will be no charge for this but a collection will be taken at the end of each performance in aid of local and international conservation.

Finally, to mark International Day of Biodiversity on Thursday, May 22, the new bell will be tolled at 8am for all extinct species.