POETRY celebrating the glory days of quarrying, penned by a former Portland stonemason, has been engraved and laid into dry-stone walls on the island.

The poems, written by the late ‘Skylark’ Durston, were carved in large plaques of Portland stone by Weymouth College stonemasonry student Ian Chalmers and laid in walls next to the Old Engine Shed at East Weares.

The Portland stonework was kindly donated by Albion Stone.

Managed by the Portland Gas Trust, the walls are being restored to their original design by teaching traditional mid-19th century building methods to young volunteers from the Young Offenders Institute and members of the public keen to learn techniques from the past.

Dry-stone walling is extremely durable but became seen as an antiquated, laborious building method in the 1960s.

As well as being long-lasting, it’s high on the list of environmentally friendly building methods – the stones are already there and use no binding agents to stick together.

The Portland Gas Trust is committed to local initiatives that support education, geology and the environment.

The Old Engine Shed is a Grade II listed building that The Portland Gas Trust plans to restore in a manner in keeping with its heritage.

Rachel Barton, trustee at The Portland Gas Trust, said: ‘‘Skylark’ Durston was a Portland stonemason famous for whistling while he worked.

“I picked these poems of his because they are a beautifully appropriate reminder of a time gone by when Portland had a huge quarrying industry.”