Set in stone

Up to 180m of 600m of rock armour has been laid in the area around Southsea Castle.

We will continue placing rock around to the Pyramids before moving back in front of Bandstand Field and working towards the Blue Reef Aquarium.

Shingle mingle

Due to the loose ground we are finding as we dig at Bandstand Field, we are using geo textile (heavy duty membrane) filled with shingle to make sure the drainage remains effective in years to come. In the photo below you can see a trench box wrapped in the geo textile which is then placed on top of the drainage area.  The trench box acts to hold the geo textile open in place while we pour in 20-40mm shingle.  The trench box is then removed, leaving the material and encapsulated shingle firmly in place.

The only way is up!

We are continuing to build up the base of the new promenade near Long Curtain Moat.

The photo shows the width of the new promenade, which is significantly wider than before with two levels, steps in between and new railings towards the moat.

We are also fitting a retaining wall around the historic walls in preparation for the new promenade around the Spur Redoubt – a great new feature of the design at the west of the works.  We will have some photos in place for next week.

Silver lining

A major exhibition of beautiful silver objects opens in Portsmouth on 28 May.

Silver City: 500 years of Portsmouth’s History will feature at the Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery. It tells the stories of historical figures and local people, and features treasures like this glittering model of HMS Victory, donated to the city by the Royal Navy. Admission is free. Read more.