Chiswell Earthworks

Land sculpture on the Isle of Portland, England

Chiswell Earthworks

Chiswell Earthworks is a land sculpture, located on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, England. It is found above Chesil Beach's most southerly part Chesil Cove, at the end of the promenade sea wall, towards West Weares. It was created by John Maine RA, between 1986 and 1993.[1]

## History

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Chiswell Earthworks (bottom left) seen from Tophill

The Chiswell Earthworks land sculpture was built after a suggestion was made by Margaret Somerville, a Portland local and owner of the Chesil Gallery.[2] The project became one of the Common Ground's New Milestone projects and was commissioned in 1986.[3]

John Maine RA, a sculptor with international reputation, was asked to undertake the commission. Maine firstly decided on a site for the project, and ended up choosing a grassy area of hillside above the Sea Wall where Chesil Beach ends.[4] Many local people believed that the project and sculpture would never see completion. However, an exhibition titled "Henry Moore and the Sea" was held at the Chesil Gallery in 1993 to mark the completion of the sculpture during the summer of that year. In total the sculpture took £250,000 to complete.[5]

Since completion, the earthworks have been highly praised internationally, gathered various awards, and is often used by local people as well as for hosting various local events.[6]

## References

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1. ^ "Welcome to Chiswell". Chiswellcommunity.org. Archived from the original on 20 November 2008. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
2. ^ "1989 Earthworks Title 1". YouTube. 27 February 2013. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
3. ^ "New Milestones - Chiswell Earthworks". England-in-particular.info. Archived from the original on 6 January 2014. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
4. ^ "Chiswell Earthworks". Chiswellcommunity.org. 24 May 2003. Archived from the original on 20 August 2013. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
5. ^ "Southern Chesil". Geoffkirby.co.uk. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
6. ^ "Weymouth and Portland green gardens fly the flag (From Dorset Echo)". Dorsetecho.co.uk. 31 July 2009. Retrieved 19 March 2013.

## External links

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* Tom Maine short film on Chiswell Earthworks

50°33′26″N 2°26′49″W﻿ / ﻿50.5572°N 2.4469°W﻿ / 50.5572; -2.4469

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Isle of Portland

Settlements and areas|

* Castletown
* Chiswell
* Clay Ope
* Easton
* Ferry Bridge
* Fortuneswell
* The Grove
* Portland Bill
* Portland Harbour
* Southwell
* Tophill
* Underhill
* Victoria Square
* Wakeham
* West Cliff
* Weston

Beaches and coastal features|

* Balaclava Bay
* Cave Hole
* Chesil Beach
* Chesil Cove
* Church Ope Cove
* Freshwater Bay
* Hallelujah Bay
* Little Beach
* Mutton Cove
* Portland Raised Beach
* Pulpit Rock
* Salt Pans
* Wallsend Cove

Attractions|

* Broadcroft Quarry Nature Reserve
* Chiswell Earthworks
* Culverwell Mesolithic Site
* Fancy's Family Farm
* Jurassica
* King Barrow Quarry Nature Reserve
* Nicodemus Knob
* Perryfield Quarry Nature Reserve
* Portland Museum
* Royal Manor Theatre
* Tout Quarry Sculpture Park
* Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy

Military|

* Admiralty Underwater Weapons Establishment
* Blacknor Fort
* East Weare Battery
* East Weare Camp
* East Weare Rifle Range
* HMS Osprey
* Inner Pierhead Fort
* MOD Portland Bill
* Portland Breakwater Fort
* RAF Portland
* RNAS Portland (HMS Osprey)
* Royal Naval Hospital
* Verne Citadel
* Verne Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery
* Verne High Angle Battery

Castles|

* Pennsylvania Castle
* Portland Castle
* Rufus Castle

Lighthouses, daymarks and NCI|

* NCI Portland Bill
* Old Higher Lighthouse
* Old Lower Lighthouse
* Portland Bill Lighthouse
* Portland Breakwater Lighthouse
* Trinity House Obelisk

Prisons|

* HM Prison Portland
* HM Prison Weare
* HM Prison The Verne

Gardens|

* Chiswell Walled Garden
* Easton Gardens
* Governor's Community Garden
* Victoria Gardens

Buildings and houses|

* The Captain's House
* The Cove House Inn
* The George Inn
* Queen Anne House
* St George's Centre

Churches|

* All Saints Church
* Avalanche Memorial Church
* Church of Our Lady and St. Andrew
* Conjurer's Lodge
* Easton Methodist Church
* Southwell Methodist Chapel
* St Andrew's Church
* St George's Church
* St. John's Church
* St. Peter's Church
* Underhill Methodist Church
* United Reformed Church

Memorials|

* Portland Cenotaph
* Royal Naval Cemetery

Industry|

* Durdle Pier
* Folly Pier
* Folly Pier Waterworks
* Grove Lime Kiln
* King's Pier
* Portland stone
* Portland Windmills
* Red Crane
* Southwell Business Park
* Sureline
* Verne Cistern

Working and disused quarries|

* Bowers Quarry
* Broadcroft Quarry
* Coombefield Quarry
* King Barrow Quarry
* Perryfield Quarry
* Tout Quarry
* Yeolands Quarry

Railway|

* Merchant's Railway
* The Old Engine Shed
* Portland Branch Railway

Sports|

* Portland United F.C.

Events|

* Easton Massacre
* Great Southwell Landslip

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