Report - East Weare Rifle Range, Feburary 2017

[Kirkymole]

Visited with @Bertie Bollockbrains

Some history shamelessly found and stolen from Wikipedia

The East Weare Rifle Range was built between 1889 and 1903, on additional land the war department had to purchase. Constructed using huge ramps of earth and stone, the range's large stop butt structure had been built by the 1920s, out of Portland Stone. The range was built as part of a general development of the naval base and its training provisions, where it was used to train naval and other military service personnel, often stationed at East Weare Camp. The rifle range was built in close proximity to Portland's railway line, which the construction of had commenced in 1888. The line opened in 1900, and due to the closeness between the range and the line, red flags would be hoisted during firing sessions, meaning all railway employees were prohibited from entering the area.

The range ceased operational activity during the 1980s. After a civilian was killed by a stray round from a military range near Aldershot in Hampshire, the government decided to review all active firing ranges in the UK. The East Weare Rifle Range was classed as dangerous, due to the uncontrolled public footpaths surrounding it. It was used for shotgun and clay pigeon shooting for a limited time, before falling into total disuse. Today the rifle range stands as a reminder of the military presence at Portland. As a SSSI, it is home to high nature conservation valued scrub and wildlife. It was decided in 2007 to release ten British Primitive goats into the area to control the scrub.

At the south-east end of the range, opposite the gallery, is the large late 19th-century/early 20th century stop butt. This measures approximately 100 metres in length and 30 metres wide. On the opposite side is the markers' gallery, which survives in a reasonable condition. It was the location of the machinery operating the raising and lowering of the targets, and this was achieved with the use of cables and pulleys using a Hythe pattern target frame. The range had firing points on earth and stone mounds at 100 yard intervals from 200 yards to 600 yards, with an additional lane of fire to the north-east, firing from 800 yards. The soldiers would fire at the stop butt from the positions. However these have since been destroyed with only the 200 yard mound surviving.

Within the perimeter of the rifle range are two remaining concrete sentry posts, possibly of mid 20th-century origin, where lookouts would warn away walkers when shooting was taking place. One is located almost adjacent to the range site, whilst the other is located further south. The posts remain in good condition. A 1960s tin-corrugated observation post also remains above the range, on the clifftop. There are two World War II pillboxes within the range's perimeter. Both structures are in good condition, although overgrown. One sits next to the adjacent sentry lookout, whilst the other is located on a banking against the stop butt structure.

The pics.

One of the sentry look outs.

The large 19th/20th century Butt stop.

Rifle rack.

Looking down the gallery, showing the seats the target operators would have had the unenviable pleasure of sitting is as bullets whistled overhead. The targets would be attached to the metal frame then hoisted, by hand, up above the roof of the gallery.

Looking in from no mans land.

The range from the footpath side.

The enormous Butt stop.

 

[Bertie Bollockbrains]

Just be aware, that despite being well away from the Port, it is owned by the Portland Port and thus this site is technically criminal trespass and there's a big camera here watching