'Portland's Living Quarry' was a finalist selected for the Big Lottery Fund's 'The People's Millions' in 2009. Thank you to everyone who voted for the project. We didn't make it this time but we are applying to other funders for the project and will keep you informed of the progress. We were in competition with five other projects in the South West and featured on ITV News on 25th November 2009, alongside the Plymouth Sea Cadet's project.

This is a small project with the potential to have a huge impact. If we win the vote we will be able to transform a rundown building in the centre of Portland, and replace a leaking roof, widen doorways, install a ramp and provide equipment for an arts workshop for the whole community to use and enjoy.

The project is at the heart of a community living in one of the most intensively quarried areas in the UK. Skills are in decline, the older generation has no place to share their knowledge, youth lack opportunities to develop their abilities and the community, a shared space to work. Inspired by quarrying families dating back 700 years, and 250 million years of evidence of life in stone, this creative workspace will also include an outdoor carving terrace, overlooking the quarry and will show sustainable new uses of waste stone from the quarrying industry.

Project details and photos can be found at; www.peoplesmillions.org.uk/regions/westcountry/projects/portlands-living-quarry