People are being encouraged to share their memories of a relic from Portland's military past which is set to undergo £250,000 worth of improvements.

Their help is needed to build an 'innovative interpretation' to tell the story of High Angle Battery, also known as the 'ghost tunnels'. 

Built in the 1890s to help defend the isle of Portland against invasion, the locally important site of High Angle Battery fell into a state of disrepair.

In 2022 its outdated interpretation panels and graffiti damage led to the site being placed on Historic England’s ‘at risk’ register.

As previously reported in the Echo, Dorset Council secured just under £250,000 of funding from The National Heritage Fund to improve and preserve High Angle Battery, which is known locally as the 'ghost tunnels'.

A consultation was held at the beginning of 2023 to help shape the project, through which key partners, the community, and volunteers outlined improvements they wanted to see made to the site.

The consultation also highlighted a local appetite for more activities and events at the site and for the popular ‘ghost tunnels’ to be fully opened.

Heritage interpretation designers Smith & Jones have been commissioned to develop an innovative interpretation that will tell the story of High Angle Battery.

The public's help is being sought to help build this interpretation.

A drop-in session will be held on Thursday, March 7 from 2pm to 5pm at the Portland Library, The Straits, Easton.

Members of the public are asked to bring along any photos, memorabilia and stories they can which will be used to help shape the story of the tunnels.

The Battery is a below-ground complex of buildings, tunnels and gun emplacements that was designed to give the military a concealed base from which shells could be fired onto ships attacking Portland Harbour below – aided by a complicated system to help the gunners locate marauding vessels.

Overall the improvement project will focus on improving the site’s heritage, biodiversity, and access. 

Once the work has been completed, it is intended that the battery will become a valuable local asset where events, tours and school visits will be carried out.

Find out more and upload any of your photos of the Battery at: dorsetcoasthaveyoursay.co.uk/high-angle-battery-improvements-project