tarboat's photos with the keyword: dorset

The facade of the Mercers Hall in London dates from 1670 to the design of Sir Christopher Wren. In 1882 it was shipped to Swanage in Dorset where it was re-erected on the Town Hall.

The kiln at Grove was built c.1900 within an enclosed yard which was principally used for dressing stone. It was constructed and operated by prisoners from the Portland Convict Establishment. It is likely that lime production at the kiln ceased in 1921 when prison became a Borstal Institution and the quarry and associated masonry works closed.

This limekiln is one of several that were worked in the Dorset parish of Loders. Long abandoned, it was difficult to photograph due to a large tree having fallen across the front of the kiln. The pot has been filled-in.

Sandholes Quarry on the Isle of Portland retains a crane that was once used to load stone blocks onto coastal vessels.

Originally the Wareham Oddfellows Hall and built in 1889, it provided various entertainments such as travelling theatre shows, banquets and concerts. It is likely that visiting Bioscope shows were presented here at the turn of the 20th century. The cinema opened in the building in 1920 and it then named the Empire Theatre. After renovation in 1963 it was renamed as The Rex. In 1987 the running of the cinema was taken over by a group of enthusiastic local people who formed Rex Wareham Ltd. This lasted until 2009 when The Rex was acquired by the Purbeck Film Charitable Trust, and it became a not-for profit cinema run almost entirely by our dedicated volunteers. The frontage is a nice blend of brick with decorative limestone door and window surrounds. It is listed Grade II.

Albion Stone plc has operated its Portland stone quarries for many years and now extracts high quality stone from mines at the Jordans / Bowers complex and most recently from the new Stonehills Mine. The stone processing sheds and stockyard are seen here on the site of the Independent Quarry to the north of Easton.

Weymouth Town Bridge is a lifting bascule bridge connecting the formerly separate boroughs of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis. When lifted it allows boats access to the inner backwater of Weymouth Harbour, known as Weymouth Marina. It was opened in 1930 and, is the sixth to have been built across the harbour since 1597. Today the hydraulically-operated bridge is raised every two hours, 363 days of the year. It is listed Grade II.

A short domed tower at Wimborne Minster.

Swanage does a good line in turrets and domes including this one which has excellent sea views.

The Ibstock brickworks on the outskirts of Swanage specialises in the production of a wide range of hand-made bricks. The business can also produce bespoke items for restoration or individual new builds.

BP's Kimmeridge oilwell on the Dorset coastline is the oldest continually producing wellsite in the United Kingdom. It was drilled in 1959 and now produces 80 barrels (12,720) litres of crude oil per day. The oil is stored in the tanks to the left of the image and collected twice a week by road tanker. It is taken to the Gathering Station at Wytch Farm near Corfe Castle and thence by pipeline to the terminal near Southampton. The oilfield here is now operated by the French company Perenco.

Pumps on wells at Wytch Farm. This is Europe's largest known onshore oilfield in one of the most environmentally sensitive areas of the UK. Its operations are on the southern shores of Poole Harbour, Furzey Island, Wareham and at Kimmeridge Bay. Perenco UK Limited took over the operation of the oilfield in December 2011. It is currently producing 19,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (crude oil, liquid petroleum gas and gas).

Wytch Farm is the location of the largest onshore oil field in Western Europe. The facility was taken over from BP by Perenco in 2011 and pipes oil 91km to Fawley whilst gas is removed by road tanker. In 2002 it was estimated that the field contained reserves of 65.40 million tonnes of oil (479.6 million barrels), 4.73 million tonnes of natural gas liquids and 1.42 billion cubic metres of natural gas that will last until 2020 and 2025 respectively.

BP's Kimmeridge oilwell on the Dorset coastline is the oldest continually producing wellsite in the United Kingdom. It was drilled in 1959 and now produces 80 barrels (12,720) litres of crude oil per day. The oil is stored in the tanks to the left of the image and collected twice a week by road tanker. It is taken to the BP Gathering Station at Wytch Farm near Corfe Castle and thence by pipeline to the terminal near Southampton.

Standard Class Five 73129 departs Harman's Cross for Swanage. I just happened to be passing and saw the loco approaching, so it was a quick dash onto the platform for a few shots.

A mixture of liveries as Standard Tank 80104 brings a short train into Corfe Castle on the Swanage Railway.

I find a lot of interest in the shapes and structures of concrete and aggregates plant. This particular example I happened upon whilst looking for brickworks remains at Chickerell near Weymouth. The brickworks had long been demolished and replaced with this works and the council refuse department garage and workshops with an enormous stockpile of wheelie bins at the back.

Whilst enjoying a fine pint at the Square and Compass in Worth Matravers my drinking was accompanied by these two characters set upon the stone table top. The whole of the garden furniture at the pub was of the 'guaranteed to outlast your civilisation' style, being made of Purbeck stone.