Portland voices and sounds from 1960, Famous Johnny Morris meets Island characters, now all gone.

I recorded this from the radio when I was 17. Wonderful tales of Portland recalled in 1960. Long-gone characters speaking about Island life in a different age. The voices, well-known to Islanders in the 1950s and '60s are now largely forgotten. Listen to their lovely descriptions of Portland Stone quarries, humour, superstitions, landscape, the sea, the Navy, and fishermen. all told to Johnny Morris in Portlanders' rich and humorous accent, which is also fading into history.

[@micktheloonify]

Amazing that you have this!I lived on Portland 67-71 as a teenager and loved every minute.Thanks for posting.

[@ladylaois8184]

Johnny was a huge part of my childhood. I absolutely adored him. I also grew up To rescue and rehabilitate many animals wildlife and others . I’m 60 now and still working with animals. I’ve never forgotten this lovely man that influenced me so much. Thank you for the reminisce

[@StuartMorris7]

Yes, he was an inspiration in many ways.

[@helenemcqueen1315]

What an absolute delight! Thank you for posting this. As a Kimberlin it's clear to me why Portlanders have such a strong feeling for past times on Portland. I've only been here since 1978, but even I lament what we've lost, the island is so much busier now from even the 1980's, yet times must move on I suppose. I'm going to be telling everyone I know to listen to this!

[@StuartMorris7]

Thanks Helene, I'm so pleased my original reel-to-reel tape survived in such a good condition. To me it is priceless now.

[@merape99]

Thank you again for this Stuart. I remember listening to it when it was first broadcast and never imagined I would ever hear it again, although the only part I remember in detail was when he tempted the fisherman with the £5 note . That was a lot of money in those days and we know how parsimonious Portlanders can be when it comes to money! Do you know which member of the Stone family it was? That looks like a very old photo of Portland you used at the beginning. It looks to me as though it precedes construction of the Verne common estate. Best wishes Richard Peterson

[@StuartMorris7]

I'm glad you enjoy it as much as I do. I was 17 when I recorded it, on a reel-to-reel tape from the radio when originally broadcast. I wish Johnny had named the interviewees. I recognise (not in order) Skylark Durston, and possibly Herbert Lidbetter (Museum curator); quarry owner/historian John Pearce (speaking in 'posh Portland'!); and master mason Bert Adams. I'm hoping that others will know more. Yes, the photo is earlier, I just selected it at random. I was going to illustrate the narrative throughout, but decided to let the voices provide the 'pictures'.