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Fortuneswell
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Fortuneswell
Fortuneswell is a village in Underhill on the Isle of Portland, in Dorset, England. It lies on steeply sloping land on the northern edge of the island, known as Underhill, where Chesil Beach connects the island to the mainland. Adjoining Fortuneswell are Chiswell to the west and Castletown to the north. Fortuneswell occupies the steeper land above sea level, whereas Chiswell and Castletown occupy flat land close to sea level, next to Chesil Beach and Portland Harbour respectively. Fortuneswell has a main shopping street, and along with Easton, is the main hub of the island's activities.
Fortuneswell now includes the former hamlets of Maiden Well and Mallams. As with the rest of Portland's settlements, Fortuneswell has been designated as a conservation area, to protect its special architectural and historic interest, since 1976.
Fortuneswell was established around a natural watercourse and various springs. It is likely that the Romans developed the village pond and wells. The main well was situated within the centre of the village. The village name was first recorded as "Fortunes Well" in 1608, and evidence has suggested this originated from the belief in the occult star-telling power of its water, where one's luck could be seen. Over the centuries the village was largely made up of open space, with high-quality houses spread out across the community.
From the 1840s onwards Portland saw a large increase within its population, due to the construction of Portland Harbour's Breakwaters.[citation needed] The housing demands placed upon the island saw the originality of Fortuneswell altered. A large number of terraces were erected across the village area, and were crammed into any available open space. The expansion continued into the 20th century, when the site of Tillycoombe Farm became a large housing estate too. A new church was built between 1838 and 1840 at Fortuneswell, and was named St John's. In 1865, Underhill became its own parish, with St John's becoming the parish church.[citation needed] The influx of residents and visitors allowed Fortuneswell to flourish commercially, with many businesses becoming established there. The 1896 Kelly's Directory lists 73 businesses within the village.
Following World War II, it became clear new housing on Portland was needed, and this led to the construction of a large housing estate across Verne Common. The new estate, which began construction in 1949, was made a part of Fortuneswell. The original project suggested the construction of high-quality villas, however, prefabricated buildings were erected instead. With the closure of the naval base in 1995, Fortuneswell has since seen some economic decline in business, although various independent stores remain active.
Over the last few decades, many shops in Fortuneswell have changed hands frequently, while a few shops have lasted longer periods. The New Star Inn, Royal Portland Arms and the Britannia Inn are all pubs located in Fortuneswell. The no longer remaining Regal Cinema was built in Fortuneswell during 1932. It later became a Bingo hall, and then the Rumours Nightclub in the 1990s. A victim of suspected arson, the nightclub caught fire one evening in 1992 and the remaining shell was demolished soon after. The former primitive Methodists church is now the Royal Manor Theatre. The Theatre is one of only a few amateur dramatic company's that actually own their own premises and the company itself is run entirely by volunteers.
A reminder of industry in the back streets of Fortuneswell is an old Victorian steam laundry, built in 1900, which later housed a Defence Industry Contractor. In 1793 Robert Carr Brackenbury erected a small Methodist church within the village, known as Brackenbury's Chapel. It was later replaced by the Underhill Methodist Church of 1899.[citation needed] Opposite the church is the Portland Council Offices, which were built in 1934, and possess a fine council chamber.
Located in Fortuneswell and close to the villages of Castletown and Chiswell is Victoria Gardens, which were opened in 1904 to mark the 1897 Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria.[citation needed] Towards the highest point of Fortuneswell, heading towards Priory Corner, is Old Hill – a very steep footpath linking Underhill with Tophill. It was once a main route for those travelling from Tophill.
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Fortuneswell
Fortuneswell is a village in Underhill on the Isle of Portland, in Dorset, England. It lies on steeply sloping land on the northern edge of the island, known as Underhill, where Chesil Beach connects the island to the mainland. Adjoining Fortuneswell are Chiswell to the west and Castletown to the north. Fortuneswell occupies the steeper land above sea level, whereas Chiswell and Castletown occupy flat land close to sea level, next to Chesil Beach and Portland Harbour respectively. Fortuneswell has a main shopping street, and along with Easton, is the main hub of the island's activities.
Fortuneswell now includes the former hamlets of Maiden Well and Mallams. As with the rest of Portland's settlements, Fortuneswell has been designated as a conservation area, to protect its special architectural and historic interest, since 1976.
Fortuneswell was established around a natural watercourse and various springs. It is likely that the Romans developed the village pond and wells. The main well was situated within the centre of the village. The village name was first recorded as "Fortunes Well" in 1608, and evidence has suggested this originated from the belief in the occult star-telling power of its water, where one's luck could be seen. Over the centuries the village was largely made up of open space, with high-quality houses spread out across the community.
From the 1840s onwards Portland saw a large increase within its population, due to the construction of Portland Harbour's Breakwaters.[citation needed] The housing demands placed upon the island saw the originality of Fortuneswell altered. A large number of terraces were erected across the village area, and were crammed into any available open space. The expansion continued into the 20th century, when the site of Tillycoombe Farm became a large housing estate too. A new church was built between 1838 and 1840 at Fortuneswell, and was named St John's. In 1865, Underhill became its own parish, with St John's becoming the parish church.[citation needed] The influx of residents and visitors allowed Fortuneswell to flourish commercially, with many businesses becoming established there. The 1896 Kelly's Directory lists 73 businesses within the village.
Following World War II, it became clear new housing on Portland was needed, and this led to the construction of a large housing estate across Verne Common. The new estate, which began construction in 1949, was made a part of Fortuneswell. The original project suggested the construction of high-quality villas, however, prefabricated buildings were erected instead. With the closure of the naval base in 1995, Fortuneswell has since seen some economic decline in business, although various independent stores remain active.
Over the last few decades, many shops in Fortuneswell have changed hands frequently, while a few shops have lasted longer periods. The New Star Inn, Royal Portland Arms and the Britannia Inn are all pubs located in Fortuneswell. The no longer remaining Regal Cinema was built in Fortuneswell during 1932. It later became a Bingo hall, and then the Rumours Nightclub in the 1990s. A victim of suspected arson, the nightclub caught fire one evening in 1992 and the remaining shell was demolished soon after. The former primitive Methodists church is now the Royal Manor Theatre. The Theatre is one of only a few amateur dramatic company's that actually own their own premises and the company itself is run entirely by volunteers.
A reminder of industry in the back streets of Fortuneswell is an old Victorian steam laundry, built in 1900, which later housed a Defence Industry Contractor. In 1793 Robert Carr Brackenbury erected a small Methodist church within the village, known as Brackenbury's Chapel. It was later replaced by the Underhill Methodist Church of 1899.[citation needed] Opposite the church is the Portland Council Offices, which were built in 1934, and possess a fine council chamber.
Located in Fortuneswell and close to the villages of Castletown and Chiswell is Victoria Gardens, which were opened in 1904 to mark the 1897 Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria.[citation needed] Towards the highest point of Fortuneswell, heading towards Priory Corner, is Old Hill – a very steep footpath linking Underhill with Tophill. It was once a main route for those travelling from Tophill.
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