Weymouth
Weymouth, Wyke Regis and Portland Harbour from the Isle of Portland
Weymouth shown within Dorset
Population	51,880[1][A]
OS grid reference	SY6779
- London	195 km (120 mi) ENE
District	Weymouth and Portland
Shire county	Dorset
Region	South West
Constituent country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	WEYMOUTH
Postcode district	DT3, DT4
Dialling code	01305
Police	Dorset
Fire	Dorset
Ambulance	South Western
European Parliament	South West England
UK Parliament	South Dorset
List of places: UK • England • Dorset

Coordinates: 50°36′47″N 2°27′25″W / 50.613, -2.457

Weymouth (pronounced /ˈweɪməθ/) is a town in Dorset, England, situated on a sheltered bay at the mouth of the River Wey on the English Channel coast. Wyke Regis (ˌwaɪkˈriːdʒɪs is a village in south Dorset, England. Portland Harbour is located beside the Isle of Portland, off Dorset, on the south coast of England. Dorset ( (or archaically, Dorsetshire) is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast In Biology a population is the collection of inter-breeding organisms of a particular Species; in Sociology The British national grid reference system is a system of geographic grid references commonly used in Great Britain, different from using Latitude and Longitude London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. The districts of England are a level of subnational division of England used for the purposes of local government Metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties are one of the four levels of Subdivisions of England used for the purposes of Local government outside Greater London Dorset ( (or archaically, Dorsetshire) is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast The region, also known as the government office region, is currently the highest tier of local government sub-national entity of England, with only one South West England is one of the Regions of England. It is the largest such region in terms of area and extends from Gloucestershire and Wiltshire to Constituent country is a phrase used often by official institutions in contexts in which a country makes up a part of a larger entity or grouping England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland This list of sovereign states, alphabetically arranged gives an overview of States around the world with information on the extent of their Sovereignty. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located A post town is a required part of all postal addresses in the United Kingdom, and a basic unit of the postal delivery system UK Postal codes are known as postcodes. UK postcodes are Alphanumeric. The DT postcode area, also known as the Dorchester postcode area, is a group of postal districts around Beaminster, Blandford Forum, Bridport The UK Telephone numbering plan, also known as the National Telephone Numbering Plan, is the system used for assigning Telephone numbers in the United There are a number of law enforcement agencies in the United Kingdom. Dorset Police is the Home Office Police force with the responsibility of policing the English County of Dorset. The fire service in the United Kingdom operates under separate legislative and administrative arrangements in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Dorset Fire and Rescue Service is the Statutory Fire and Rescue Service for the area of Dorset, South West England. Divisions & Stations The trust is split into 2 divisions West - Devon and Cornwall including West Divisional HQ 999 and PTS Control at South West England is a Constituency of the European Parliament. This is a list of the 646 constituencies currently represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, as at the 2005 general election South Dorset is a County constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. A Gazetteer of place names in the United Kingdom showing each place's County, Unitary authority or council area and its geographical coordinates List of places --> List of cities in the United Kingdom List of towns in England Lists of places This is a list of settlements and other places in Dorset, England. A geographic coordinate system enables every location on the Earth to be specified in three coordinates using mainly a spherical coordinate system. Dorset ( (or archaically, Dorsetshire) is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland The River Wey of Dorset, south west England, is a short River 9 kilometres long The town is 13 kilometres (8 mi) south of Dorchester and 8 kilometres (5 mi) north of the Isle of Portland. Dorchester is a Market town in southern central Dorset, England, on the River Frome at the junction of the A35 and A37 The Isle of Portland ( is a limestone tied island long by wide in the English Channel. The population of Weymouth is almost 52,000.

The A354 road bridge connects Weymouth to Portland, which together form the borough of Weymouth and Portland. The A354 is a Primary route in England which runs from Salisbury in Wiltshire to the Isle of Portland in Dorset, a The history of the borough stretches back to the 12th century; including involvement in the spread of the Black Death, the settlement of the Americas, the development of Georgian architecture, and preparations for World War II. The Black Death, or the Black Plague, was one of the deadliest Pandemics in human history widely thought to have been caused by a bacterium named Yersinia British colonization of the Americas (including colonization under the Kingdom of England and Kingdom of Scotland before the 1707 Acts of Union created Georgian architecture is the name given in most English -speaking countries to the set of Architectural styles current between 1720 and 1840 World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including

Although fishing and trading employ fewer people in the area since their peak in earlier centuries, tourism has had a strong presence in the town since the 18th century. Weymouth is a tourist resort, and its economy depends on its harbour and visitor attractions; the town is a gateway situated half-way along the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site on the Dorset and east Devon coast, important for its geology and landforms. A seaside resort is a Resort located on the Coast. Where a Beach is the primary focus for Tourists it may be called a beach resort The Jurassic Coast is a World Heritage Site on the English Channel coast of southern England. A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site (such as a Forest, Mountain, Lake, Desert, Monument, Building, complex Devon is a large county in the South West of England. The county is also referred to as Devonshire, but that is an entirely unofficial name Weymouth Harbour is home to cross-channel ferries, pleasure boats and private yachts, and nearby Portland Harbour is home to the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, where the sailing events of the 2012 Olympic Games will be held. Portland Harbour is located beside the Isle of Portland, off Dorset, on the south coast of England. Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy is a centre for the sport of sailing on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, on the south coast Sailing (or yachting) was introduced as an Olympic sport at the 1900 Summer Olympics, in Paris, France, as a men's competition

History

Weymouth originated as a settlement on a constricted site to the south and west of Weymouth Harbour, an outlying part of Wyke Regis. Wyke Regis (ˌwaɪkˈriːdʒɪs is a village in south Dorset, England. The town developed from the mid 12th century onwards, but was not noted until the 13th century. By 1252 it was established as a seaport and become a chartered borough. A borough is an Administrative division of various countries In principle the term borough designates a self-governing Township although in practice ^[2] Melcombe Regis developed separately on the peninsula to the north of the harbour; it was mentioned as a licensed wool port in 1310. Melcombe Regis is an area of Weymouth in Dorset, England. Situated on the north shore of Weymouth harbour and originally part of the waste of Radipole A peninsula is a piece of land that is nearly surrounded by Water but connected to Mainland via an Isthmus. ^[2]

Melcombe Regis is thought to be the first port at which the Black Death came into England in June 1348, possibly either aboard a spice ship or an army ship. The Black Death, or the Black Plague, was one of the deadliest Pandemics in human history widely thought to have been caused by a bacterium named Yersinia ^[2] In their early history Weymouth and Melcombe Regis were rivals for trade and industry, but the towns were united in an Act of Parliament in 1571 to form a double borough. Weymouth and Melcombe Regis was a Borough in England. It was formed by a charter of Elizabeth I, amalgamating the towns of Weymouth and An Act of Parliament is a Law enacted as Primary legislation by a national or sub-national Parliament. ^[2] Both towns have become known as Weymouth, despite Melcombe Regis being the main town centre. The villages of Upwey, Broadwey, Preston, Wyke Regis, Chickerell, Southill, Radipole and Littlemoor have become part of the built-up area. Upwey is a village in south Dorset, England. The village is situated on the A354 road in the Wey valley and has been absorbed into the Broadwey is a former Village in the northern Suburbs of Weymouth, Dorset, England, on the A354 road. Preston is a coastal village in south Dorset, England. It is approximately north-east of Weymouth. Wyke Regis (ˌwaɪkˈriːdʒɪs is a village in south Dorset, England. Chickerell is a village north-west of Weymouth in west Dorset, England. Southill Weymouth is a modern suburb of Weymouth, Dorset, England, and lies about 2 miles (3 km north of the town centre Radipole is a part of the district of Weymouth and Portland in the county of Dorset, England This article refers to Littlemoor in Weymouth Dorset For Littlemoor near Chesterfield see Littlemoor Derbyshire.

The ruins of the 16th century Sandsfoot Castle

King Henry VIII had two Device Forts built to protect the south Dorset coast from invasion in the 1530s: Sandsfoot Castle in Wyke Regis and Portland Castle in Castletown. Henry VIII (28 June 1491 &ndash 28 January 1547 was King of England and Lord of Ireland, later King of Ireland and claimant to the Kingdom of The Device Forts are a series of Artillery Fortifications built in England by Henry VIII. Sandfoot Castle is one of Henry VIII 's Device Forts built in the 1530s to the west of Weymouth, Dorset, opposite its contemporary Portland Portland Castle is one of the Device Forts built in 1539 by Henry VIII on the Isle of Portland to guard the natural Portland anchorage known Castletown is a small Village in Underhill on the Isle of Portland in Dorset. Parts of Sandsfoot have fallen into the sea due to coastal erosion. ^[3] During the English Civil War, around 250 people were killed in the local Crabchurch Conspiracy in February 1645. The English Civil War (1642-1651 was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists. The Crabchurch Conspiracy was a plot during the English Civil War which took place in the town of Weymouth, Dorset during February 1645 ^[4] In 1635, on board the ship Charity, around 100 emigrants from the town crossed the Atlantic Ocean and settled in Weymouth, Massachusetts. Weymouth is a city in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. ^[5][2] More townspeople emigrated to the Americas to bolster the population of Weymouth, Nova Scotia and Salem, Massachusetts; then called Naumking, Salem became infamous for its witch trials. British colonization of the Americas (including colonization under the Kingdom of England and Kingdom of Scotland before the 1707 Acts of Union created Weymouth is a rural village located in Digby County, Nova Scotia. Salem is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The Salem witch trials were a series of hearings before local magistrates followed by county court Trials to prosecute people accused of Witchcraft in Essex ^[6] There are memorials to this on the side of Weymouth Harbour and near Weymouth Pavilion. The Weymouth Pavilion, formerly the Ritz was a Theatre that opened in 1908 ^[2]

The architect Sir Christopher Wren was the Member of Parliament for Weymouth in 1702, and controlled nearby Portland's quarries from 1675 to 1717. Sir Christopher Wren ( 20 October 1632 &ndash 25 February 1723) was a 17th century English Designer, Astronomer A Member of Parliament, or MP, is a representative elected by the voters to a Parliament. When he designed St Paul's Cathedral, Wren had it built out of Portland Stone, the famous stone of Portland's quarries. St Paul's Cathedral, is the Anglican Cathedral on Ludgate Hill, in the City of London, and the seat of the Bishop of London. Portland stone is a Limestone from the Jurassic period quarried on the Isle of Portland, Dorset. ^[7] Sir James Thornhill was born in the White Hart public house in Melcombe Regis and became the town's MP in 1722. See also English school of painting Sir James Thornhill ( 25 July 1675 or 1676 – May 4, 1734) was an English Thornhill became an artist, and coincidentally decorated the interior of St Paul's Cathedral. ^[8]

Weymouth's esplanade displays Georgian architecture and Queen Victoria's Jubilee Clock. Georgian architecture is the name given in most English -speaking countries to the set of Architectural styles current between 1720 and 1840 Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901 was from 20 June 1837 the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland

The resort is among the first modern tourist destinations, after King George III made Weymouth his summer holiday residence on fourteen occasions between 1789 and 1805. Tourism is Travel for Recreational or Leisure purposes The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people who "travel George III (George William Frederick 4 June 1738 George III's long reign was marked by a series of military conflicts involving his kingdom much of the rest of Europe and places ^[9] A painted statue of the king still stands on the seafront, and a mounted white horse representing him is carved into the chalk hills of Osmington. The Osmington White Horse is a Hill figure sculpted in 1808 into the Limestone Osmington hill just north of Weymouth called the South Chalk (ʧɔːk is a soft white porous Sedimentary rock, a form of Limestone composed of the Mineral Calcite. Osmington is a village in south west Dorset, England, situated on the Jurassic Coast six kilometres (4 mi north-east of Weymouth. The horse faces away from the town, and a myth developed that the king took offence, believing it was a sign that the townspeople did not welcome him, and that the designer subsequently killed himself. ^[10]

Weymouth's esplanade is composed of Georgian terraces, which have been converted into apartments, shops, hotels and guest houses. An esplanade is a long open level area usually next to a river or large body of water where people may walk ^[11] The buildings were constructed in the Georgian and Regency periods between 1770 and 1855, designed by architects such as James Hamilton, and were commissioned by wealthy businessmen, including those that were involved in the growth of Bath. Georgian architecture is the name given in most English -speaking countries to the set of Architectural styles current between 1720 and 1840 The Regency style of Architecture refers primarily to buildings built in Britain during the period in the early 19th century when George IV was Bath is a city in Somerset in the south west of England It is situated west of London and south-east of Bristol. ^[12] These terraces form a long, continuous arc of buildings which face Weymouth Bay along the esplanade, which also features the multi-coloured Jubilee Clock, erected in 1887 to mark the 50th year of Queen Victoria's reign. Weymouth Bay is a sheltered Bay on the south coast of England, in Dorset. Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901 was from 20 June 1837 the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland ^[13] Statues of Victoria, George III and Sir Henry Edwards, Member of Parliament for the borough from 1867 to 1885, and two war memorials stand along the Esplanade. A war memorial is a building monument statue or other edifice to celebrate a War or victory or (predominating in modern times to commemorate those who died or were injured ^[14]

U.S. soldiers marched through Weymouth to board landing ships for the 1944 invasion of France. The United States Army is a military organization whose primary mission is to "provide necessary forces and capabilities.

In the centre of the town lies Weymouth Harbour; although it was the reason for the town's foundation, the harbour separates the two areas of Melcombe Regis (the main town centre) and Weymouth (the southern harbourside) from each other. Melcombe Regis is an area of Weymouth in Dorset, England. Situated on the north shore of Weymouth harbour and originally part of the waste of Radipole Since the 18th century this has been overcome with successive bridges over the narrowest part of the harbour. The present Town Bridge, built in 1930, is a lifting bascule bridge to let boats access the inner harbour, one of ten in the United Kingdom. The Bascule Bridge is a paved one-lane highway bridge in Westport, Massachusetts, USA. Weymouth Marina occupies most of the inner backwater of Weymouth Harbour Dorset, United Kingdom. ^[15]

Weymouth and Portland were bombed by German planes for their role in World War II;^[16] Portland harbour had a large naval base, and Weymouth was home to Nothe Fort. Portland Harbour is located beside the Isle of Portland, off Dorset, on the south coast of England. Nothe Fort is a Fort in Weymouth, Dorset, England. The fort is situated on the shore beside the northern breakwater of the ex-military 517,816 troops embarked through the borough to fight at the Battle of Normandy,^[2] and the Bouncing bomb was tested in the Fleet lagoon to the west of town. A bouncing bomb is a bomb designed specifically to bounce to a target such as across water to avoid Torpedo nets Unlike Skip bombing, which uses conventional Chesil Beach, sometimes called Chesil Bank, is a Tombolo in Dorset, southern England. A lagoon is a body of comparatively shallow salt or Brackish water separated from the deeper Sea by a shallow or exposed sandbank, coral ^[17] The history of the area is documented at the Timewalk Museum in Brewers Quay; the former brewery is a tourist attraction and shopping village on the southern shore of Weymouth Harbour. ^[11][18]

Governance

Weymouth and Portland shown in Dorset

The district of Weymouth and Portland was formed on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, and merged the borough of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis and the nearby Portland urban district. Events 527 - Byzantine Emperor Justin I names his nephew Justinian I as co-ruler and successor to the throne Year 1974 ( MCMLXXIV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. The Local Government Act 1972 (1972 c 70 is an Act of Parliament in the United Kingdom, that reformed local government in England and Wales The Isle of Portland ( is a limestone tied island long by wide in the English Channel. For local elections the district is divided into 15 wards, 12 of them in Weymouth. The United Kingdom has five distinct types of Elections UK general elections elections to national/regional parliaments and assemblies elections to the European Parliament ^[19] Elections take place in a four-year cycle; one third of the councillors in all but three wards retire or seek re-election in years one, two and three, and county council elections are held in year four. ^[20] The Mayor of Weymouth and Portland is David Harris (Liberal Democrat), and Tim Munro (Independent) is Deputy Mayor. The Liberal Democrats, often shortened to Lib Dems, are a liberal Political party in the United Kingdom, formed in 1988 by merging the In Politics, an independent is a Politician who is not Affiliated with any Political party. ^[21]

Weymouth, Portland and the Purbeck district are in the South Dorset parliamentary constituency, created in 1885. Settlements Settlements with a Population over 2500 are in bold. South Dorset is a County constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. In the United Kingdom (UK, each of the electoral areas or divisions called constituencies elects one or more members to a parliament or assembly The constituency elects one Member of Parliament; currently Jim Knight (Labour), the Minister of State for Schools. James Knight known as Jim Knight (born 6 March 1965, Sidcup) is a British politician for the Labour Party who has been The Labour Party is a Political party in the United Kingdom. Founded at the start of the 20th century it has been since the 1920s the principal party of the Minister of State is a title borne by politicians or officials in certain countries governed under a Parliamentary system. ^[22] South Dorset, the rest of South West England, and Gibraltar are in the South West England constituency of the European Parliament. South West England is one of the Regions of England. It is the largest such region in terms of area and extends from Gloucestershire and Wiltshire to Gibraltar (dʒɨˈbrɒltər is a British overseas territory located near the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar South West England is a Constituency of the European Parliament. The European Parliament ( Europarl or EP) is the only directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union (EU ^[23]

Dorset South was the most marginal Labour seat in the 2001 general election, won by 153 votes. Results |} Total votes cast 26368204 All parties with more than 500 votes shown ^[22][24] Jim Knight was expecting to have a difficult 2005 election, yet he won with a margin of 1,812 votes—this was in contrast to other areas, where Labour suffered a decline in popularity. ^[22] This was helped by a high-profile anti-Conservative campaign by musician Billy Bragg. Stephen William Bragg (born December 20, 1957 in Essex, England) better known as Billy Bragg, is an English musician who ^[25]

Weymouth and Portland have been twinned with the town of Holzwickede in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany since 1986,^[26] and the French town of Louviers, in the department of Eure in Normandy, since 1959. Holzwickede (hɔltsˈvɪkədə is a municipality in the district of Unna in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. North Rhine-Westphalia (Nordrhein-Westfalen usually shortened to NRW, official short form NW is the westernmost and - in terms of population and economic output - the Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Louviers Colorado Louviers is a commune in the Eure department in Haute-Normandie in northern France. In the context of the political and geographic organization of France and many of its former colonies a department (département depaʁtǝmɑ̃ is an Administrative division Eure is a department in the north of France named after the Eure River. Normandy (Normandie Norman: Normaundie) is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. ^[27]

Geography

Weymouth lies on weak Middle Oolite clay.

Weymouth is situated on the western shore of Weymouth Bay on the south coast of England, 195 kilometres (120 mi) west-southwest of London, at 50°36′47″N, 2°27′25″W (50. Weymouth Bay is a sheltered Bay on the south coast of England, in Dorset. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. 613, −2. 457). The town is built on weak sand and clay rock which in most places along the Dorset coast, except for narrow bands at Lulworth Cove, Swanage and Durdle Door, has been eroded and transported away. Lulworth Cove is a Cove near the village of West Lulworth, on the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site in Dorset, south England Swanage is a small coastal Town in the south east of Dorset, England. Durdle Door (sometimes spelled Durdle Dor) is a natural Limestone arch on the Jurassic Coast near Lulworth in Dorset, Erosion is the carrying away or displacement of solids ( Sediment, Soil, rock and other particles usually by the agents of currents such as wind ^[28] This weak rock has been protected at Weymouth by Chesil Beach and the strong limestone Isle of Portland that lies offshore, 3 kilometres (2 mi) south of Wyke Regis. Chesil Beach, sometimes called Chesil Bank, is a Tombolo in Dorset, southern England. Portland stone is a Limestone from the Jurassic period quarried on the Isle of Portland, Dorset. The Isle of Portland ( is a limestone tied island long by wide in the English Channel. Wyke Regis (ˌwaɪkˈriːdʒɪs is a village in south Dorset, England. The island affects the tides of the area, producing a double low tide in Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbour. ^[29][30] The maximum tidal range is small, less than 2 metres (7 ft). The tidal range is the vertical difference between the highest High tide and the lowest Low tide. ^[30]

There are two lakes in the borough, both RSPB Nature Reserves—Radipole Lake in the town centre, and Lodmoor between the town centre and Preston. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds ( RSPB) is a British Charitable organisation which works to promote conservation and protection nature reserve ( natural reserve, nature preserve, natural preserve) is a Protected area of importance for Wildlife, flora Radipole Lake is a Lake on the River Wey, now in the English Coastal Town of Weymouth, Dorset, once in Lodmoor reserve is an Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Nature reserve, 1 mile (1 Preston is a coastal village in south Dorset, England. It is approximately north-east of Weymouth. Radipole Lake, the largest nature reserve, and mouth of the River Wey before it flows into Weymouth Harbour, is an important habitat for fish and migratory birds, and over 200 species of plants. The River Wey of Dorset, south west England, is a short River 9 kilometres long Bird migration refers to the regular seasonal journeys undertaken by many species of Birds Bird movements include those made in response to changes in food availability Radipole is an important tourist attraction; it and Weymouth Beach are situated very close to the main town centre. ^[31] There are 11 Sites of Special Scientific Interest in the borough, which cover an area of 800. A Site of Special Scientific Interest or SSSI is a Conservation designation denoting a Protected area in the United Kingdom. 87 hectares (1,979 acres), and there are 37 other Nature Conservation Designations. A conservation designation is a name and/or acronym which explains the status of an area of land in terms of conservation or protection. ^[32]

Situated approximately half-way along the Jurassic Coast, Weymouth is a gateway town to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which includes 153 kilometres (95 mi) of the Dorset and east Devon coast that is important for its geology and landforms. The Jurassic Coast is a World Heritage Site on the English Channel coast of southern England. United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization ( UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established on November 16 A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site (such as a Forest, Mountain, Lake, Desert, Monument, Building, complex ^[11] The South West Coast Path has two routes around Weymouth and Portland—one around its coast, and one along the South Dorset Downs, which reduces the path's length by 31. The South West Coast Path is Britain's longest waymarked long-distance footpath and a National Trail. The Purbeck Hills and South Dorset Downs are a ridge of Chalk downs in Dorset, England. 0 kilometres (19. 3 mi). The path is the United Kingdom's longest national trail, at 1,014 kilometres (630 mi). The following Long-distance footpaths can be found in the United Kingdom: England and Wales National Trails National Trails are distinguished by being ^[33]

Radipole Lake is a nature reserve close to the town centre.

Weymouth is the largest town in the area, larger than the county town of Dorchester, which lies just to the north, and hence is a centre of activity for the nearby population. Dorchester is a Market town in southern central Dorset, England, on the River Frome at the junction of the A35 and A37 A steep ridge of chalk called the South Dorset Downs separates Dorchester and Weymouth; they are less agricultural than the valleys in the centre and north of Dorset, but have dairy and arable farms. Chalk (ʧɔːk is a soft white porous Sedimentary rock, a form of Limestone composed of the Mineral Calcite. The Purbeck Hills and South Dorset Downs are a ridge of Chalk downs in Dorset, England. Dorset ( (or archaically, Dorsetshire) is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast Dairy farming is a class of agricultural, or an Animal husbandry enterprise for long-term production of Milk, which may be either processed on-site or In Geography, arable land (from Latin arare, to Plough) is an agricultural term meaning land that can be used for The nearest villages to Weymouth are part of the built-up area, including Wyke Regis, Chickerell and Preston. Chickerell is a village north-west of Weymouth in west Dorset, England.

The sand and clay on which Weymouth is built is very low-lying—large areas are below sea level, which allowed the eastern areas of the town to flood during extreme low pressure storms. ^[34] In the 1980s and 90s a sea wall was built around Weymouth Harbour and along the coast road in Preston; a rip rap groyne in Greenhill and beach nourishment up to Preston have created a wide and artificially graded pebble beach, to ensure that the low-lying land around Lodmoor does not flood. A seawall is a form of hard and strong Coastal defence constructed on the inland part of a Coast to reduce the effects of strong Waves. Riprap — also known as rip rap, rubble, shot rock or rock armour — is rock or other material used to armor A groyne ( groin in the United States is a rigid Hydraulic structure built out from the shore (in Coastal engineering) or from the bank (in rivers and Greenhill is a Suburb to the east of Weymouth in Dorset, England, with a sand and shingle beach ^[35] The defences at Preston, the extended ferry terminal and the widening of the Esplanade have changed the sediment regime in Weymouth Bay, narrowing the beach at Greenhill and widening the sands in Weymouth. Sediment is any particulate matter that can be transported by fluid flow and which eventually is deposited as a layer of solid particles on the bed or bottom of a body of A study conducted as part of the redevelopment of the Pavilion complex showed that the proposed marina will contribute slightly to this effect, but sand dredged out of the marina could be used to make the beach up to 40 metres (130 ft) wider. The Weymouth Pavilion, formerly the Ritz was a Theatre that opened in 1908 Dredging is an Excavation activity or operation usually carried out at least partly underwater in shallow seas or Fresh water areas with the purpose of ^[36]

Climate

Due to its location on the south-west coast of England, Weymouth has a temperate climate (Köppen climate classification Cfb), with a small variation in daily and annual temperatures. The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems It was developed by Wladimir Köppen, a German climatologist The average annual mean temperature from 1971 to 2000 was 10. 2 to 12 °C (50. The Celsius Temperature scale was previously known as the centigrade scale. 4 to 53. 6 °F). Fahrenheit is a temperature scale named after Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit (1686–1736 a German Physicist who proposed it in 1724 ^[37] The warmest month is August, which has an average temperature range of 13. Temperature range is the numerical difference between the minimum and maximum values of temperature observed in a system such as Atmospheric temperature in a given location 3 to 20. 4 °C (55. 9 to 68. 7 °F), and the coolest is February, which has a range of 3. 1 to 8. 3 °C (37. 6 to 46. 9 °F). ^[38] Maximum and minimum temperatures throughout the year are above England's average,^[39] and Weymouth is in AHS Heat zone 1. A hardiness zone is a geographically-defined zone in which a specific category of Plant life is capable of growing as defined by Temperature hardiness or ability ^[B] Mean sea surface temperatures range from 7. Sea surface temperature (SST is the water Temperature close to the surface 0 °C (44. 6 °F) in February to 17. 2 °C (63. 0 °F) in August. ^[40]

The low-lying nature of the area, and the ameliorating effect of the lakes and mild seas that surround the town, act to keep night-time temperatures above freezing, making winter frost rare: on average eight times per year. For the UKMET model see Tropical cyclone forecast model. The Met Office (originally an abbreviation for Meteorological Office, ^[42] This is far below the United Kingdom's average annual total of 55. 6 days of frost. ^[43] Days with snow lying are equally rare: on average zero to six days per year;^[44] almost all winters have one day or less with snow lying. It may snow or sleet in winter, yet it almost never settles on the ground^[38]—low-lying coastal areas in South West England such as Weymouth experience the mildest winters in the United Kingdom. South West England is one of the Regions of England. It is the largest such region in terms of area and extends from Gloucestershire and Wiltshire to ^[45] The growing season in Weymouth lasts from nine to twelve months per year,^[D] and the borough is in Hardiness zone 9. In Agriculture, the growing season is the period of each Year when crops can be grown A hardiness zone is a geographically-defined zone in which a specific category of Plant life is capable of growing as defined by Temperature hardiness or ability ^[46][E]

Climatic graph for Weymouth and Portland

Weymouth and Portland, and the rest of the south coast, has the sunniest climate in the United Kingdom. ^[11][47][48] The resort averaged 1768. 4 hours of sunshine annually between 1971 and 2000,^[38] which is over 40% of the maximum possible,^[C] and 32% above the United Kingdom average of 1339. The Climate of the United Kingdom is classified as a mid-latitude Oceanic climate ( Koppen climate classification Cfb) with warm summers 7 hours. ^[43] Four of the last nine years have had more than 2000 hours of sunshine. ^[38] December is the cloudiest and wettest month (55. 7 hours of sunshine, 90. 9 millimetres (3. 6 in) of rain) and July is the sunniest and driest (235. 1 hours of sunshine, 35. 6 millimetres (1. 4 in) of rain). ^[38] Sunshine totals in all months are well above the United Kingdom average,^[43] and monthly rainfall totals throughout the year are less than the UK average, particularly in summer;^[43] this summer minimum of rainfall is not experienced away from the south coast of England. ^[47] The average annual rainfall of 751. 7 millimetres (29. 6 in) is well below the UK average of 1,125 millimetres (44. 3 in). ^[43]

Demography

The mid-year population of Weymouth in 2005 was 51,880,^[A] in a built-up area of 18. 5 square kilometres (4,600 acres),^[1] giving an approximate population density of 2,800 residents per square kilometre (11 per acre), in 24,622 dwellings. Population density (in agriculture standing stock and Standing crop) is a measurement of Population per unit area or unit volume ^[1] The population has grown steadily since the 1970s, mainly as a result of migration. There is an above average number of residents aged 60–84 (23. 2%), however this is less than the Dorset average of 26. 2%, and the largest proportion of the population (32. 4%) is between the ages of 18 to 44, above the Dorset average of 29. 6%. ^[1] The population is largely native to England—98. 8% of residents are of white ethnicity, slightly above the Dorset average of 98. 7%. ^[1] The largest religion in Weymouth and Portland is Christianity, at almost 74. 7%,^[49] which is slightly above the United Kingdom average of 71. This article is about the development of religion in the United Kingdom (UK since its formation in 1707 6%. ^[50] The next-largest sector is those with no religion, at almost 15. 9%,^[49] slightly above the UK average of 15. 5%. ^[50]

House prices in Weymouth and Portland are relatively high by UK standards, yet around average for the south of England—the average price of a detached house in 2007 was £327,569; semi-detached and terraced houses were cheaper, at £230,932 and £190,073 respectively, and an apartment or maisonette cost £168,727. The Pound Sterling ( symbol £; ISO code: GBP) subdivided into 100 pence (singular penny) is the Currency Semi-Detached (1998 was Therapy? 's last album for A&M Records. In Architecture and City planning, a terrace(d or row house or townhouse (though the latter term can also refer to Patio houses Residential dwellings can be built in a large variety of configurations ^[51][G] The crime rate in Weymouth of 12. 0 burglaries per 1000 households is lower than that of England and Wales (13. History The Roman occupation of Britain was the first period in which the area of present-day England and Wales was administered as a single unit (with the exception 5 per 1000), but above that of South West England (8. South West England is one of the Regions of England. It is the largest such region in terms of area and extends from Gloucestershire and Wiltshire to 9 per 1000). ^[1] Unemployment levels are low, particularly in summer, at 2. 0% of the economically active population in July 2006, and 4. 3% year-round,^[1] compared to the UK average of 5. 3%. ^[52]

Economy

Weymouth Beach attracts thousands of visitors in summer. Weymouth Beach is a gently curving arc of Sand in Weymouth Bay, beside the town of Weymouth in Dorset, England.

Tourism has been the largest industry in Weymouth for decades, though the number of people employed in the sector has declined slightly since its peak in the late 1990s. ^[53] Weymouth's coast and beaches, lakes, museums, aquarium, and two shopping centres are the main attractions for visitors. The visitor accommodation consists of hotels on the seafront, guest houses around the town centre,^[11] and caravan and camping sites just out of town, including three sites owned by Haven and British Holidays: Littlesea, Seaview and Weymouth Bay. A travel trailer or caravan is a trailer towed behind a road Vehicle to provide a place to sleep which is more comfortable and protected than a Description The term "camp" comes from the Latin word campus, meaning field Haven Holidays is a company that runs many well-known holiday parks around United Kingdom under the Haven and British Holidays brands previously two separate companies ^[54]

There are over two hundred events held throughout the year in the borough,^[55] including firework festivals, dragon boat racing, beach volleyball,^[56] handball^[57] and motocross,^[58] and the annual carnival in mid-August, which attracts around 70,000 people each year. A firework is classified as a low explosive pyrotechnic device used primarily for aesthetic and entertainment purposes A dragon boat or "dragonboat" is a very long and narrow human-powered Boat now used in the team Paddling sport of dragon boat ^[11][55] Weymouth is the only port in the world to have hosted the start of The Tall Ships' Races three times^[59]—in 1983, 1987 and 1994; the 1994 race attracting 300,000 spectators. The Tall Ships' Races are races for Sail training "Tall Ships" ( Sailing ships. ^[60]

Nothe Fort is one of the maritime-related museums in the town. Nothe Fort is a Fort in Weymouth, Dorset, England. The fort is situated on the shore beside the northern breakwater of the ex-military

The Pavilion Theatre was built in 1960 on a peninsula of reclaimed land between the harbour and the esplanade, after the Ritz Theatre was destroyed by fire in 1954. The Weymouth Pavilion, formerly the Ritz was a Theatre that opened in 1908 ^[61] The Pavilion is owned and operated by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, providing a venue for local community groups and schools, and hosting seasonal "end of the pier" entertainment and year-round shows and events. WikiProject {{{1}}} The definition of Community Theatre differs in the US from the UK It was announced in 2006 that the Pavilion complex and 4 hectares (10 acres) of its surroundings will be entirely redeveloped from 2008 to 2011, in time for the 2012 Summer Olympics. The complex is to include a refurbished theatre, a World Heritage Site visitors' centre, a new ferry terminal, a 120–150 bed 4-star hotel, an underground car park, a shopping arcade, offices, luxury and low cost apartments, houses, public squares, promenades, and a marina. A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site (such as a Forest, Mountain, Lake, Desert, Monument, Building, complex Condor Ferries is an operator of ferry services between mainland England and the Channel Islands, between England and France, and between France and the ^[62]

As part of the regeneration of Weymouth and Portland, it was decided in 2007 that Weymouth's esplanade will be redeveloped in time for the 2012 Olympic Games. Urban Renewal (similar to Urban Regeneration in British English) is a controversial U An esplanade is a long open level area usually next to a river or large body of water where people may walk Planned improvements include a public square around the restored statue of King George III, the restoration and extension the Art Deco pier bandstand, a Tourist information centre and café, Victorian-style shelters and seasonal kiosks, a beach rescue centre, and a sand art pavilion for the sculptures of Mark Anderson. George III (George William Frederick 4 June 1738 George III's long reign was marked by a series of military conflicts involving his kingdom much of the rest of Europe and places Art Deco was a popular international design movement from 1925 until 1939 affecting the decorative arts such as Architecture, Interior design, and Industrial A visitor center, centre (see Spelling differences) or visitor information centre may be A visitor center at a specific attraction The term Victorian architecture can refer to one of a number of Architectural styles predominantly employed during the Victorian era. Her Majesty's Coastguard is the service of the Government of the United Kingdom concerned with co-ordinating Rescue at sea ^[63] Other alterations to the promenade are considered, particularly around key areas such as the Jubilee Clock and the pier bandstand, including a lighting scheme and seating areas with planting, fountains and structural trees. ^[63] All proposals are scheduled to undergo a period of public consultation before accepted improvements could begin in 2008 for completion before 2012. Public consultation, or simply consultation, is a regulatory process by which the public's input on matters affecting them is sought ^[64]

Weymouth's outer harbour hosts a large fishing fleet.

Weymouth Harbour is long and narrow, and formed the estuary of the River Wey until the building of a bridge to Westham, which separated the harbour's backwaters from Radipole Lake. An estuary is a semi-enclosed Coastal body of Water with one or more Rivers or Streams flowing into it and with a free connection to the open The River Wey of Dorset, south west England, is a short River 9 kilometres long Weymouth Marina occupies most of the inner backwater of Weymouth Harbour Dorset, United Kingdom. Radipole Lake is a Lake on the River Wey, now in the English Coastal Town of Weymouth, Dorset, once in For centuries the harbour was a passenger terminal and trade and cargo port: goods handled included wool and spices, and in the 20th century Weymouth was a bulk importer of fertiliser and cars. ^[2] The old harbourside, on both sides of the seaward end of the harbour, still hosts a large fishing fleet, with docks, unloading areas, and a cross-channel ferry terminal. Fishing and cargo trading employ less people in the area since their peak in earlier centuries, but local fishermen catch the largest mass of fish in England and the third largest in the United Kingdom. ^[59] The inner harbour has been refurbished in two phases, in 1994–1996 and in 2002, to include a new marina with hundreds of berths for pleasure boats, cruisers and sailing boats. Weymouth Marina occupies most of the inner backwater of Weymouth Harbour Dorset, United Kingdom. ^[59] Local boats offer fishing and diving trips, pleasure cruises along the Jurassic Coast, and thrill-rides to the Isle of Portland. The Jurassic Coast is a World Heritage Site on the English Channel coast of southern England. The Isle of Portland ( is a limestone tied island long by wide in the English Channel. ^[65]

Brewers Quay museum and shopping centre on the harbourside

The main shopping centre in the area is in Melcombe Regis, consisting of two pedestrianised streets (St. Car-free zones (also known as auto-free zones and pedestrian zones) are areas of a city or town in which automobile traffic is prohibited  Thomas's and St.  Mary's Street), shops along the esplanade, and a new precinct stretching from St. Thomas's Street to the harbourside, built in the 1990s. There are shops and restaurants in the pedestrianised Hope Square and Brewers Quay, which are linked to the town centre by town bridge and a small passenger ferry service across the harbour. ^[11] In 2005 the town centre had 292 shops and 37,500 square metres (404,000 sq ft) of floorspace, and there was 0. 4 square kilometres (100 acres) of industrial estate in the area. ^[1] Weymouth, Portland and Chickerell have been a Fairtrade Zone for three years. Chickerell is a village north-west of Weymouth in west Dorset, England. Fairtrade Town is a marketing tool in which this status is awarded by a recognized Fairtrade certification body (i ^[66] Fashion company New Look has its national head office in Weymouth, and until 2005 the company's regional distribution centre was based at the same site. New Look is a chain of high street shops in Britain, Belgium, France and the Republic of Ireland, popular at first with girls and women ^[67] Plans were approved in 2007 to develop the New Look site to include new headquarters, retail warehouses and industrial units, a hotel, fire station, and a medical centre with ambulance station. ^[68]

Transport

The Weymouth Harbour Tramway or Quay Branch

Weymouth railway station is the terminus of the route from London Waterloo and the route from Westbury and Bristol. The Weymouth Harbour Tramway is an unusual railway feature a goods and passenger railway constructed almost entirely on the streets of Weymouth, England. Weymouth railway station is a Railway station serving the Town of Weymouth, Dorset, England. The South Western Main Line is a Railway line from London Waterloo to Weymouth on the Dorset coast in the south of England. The Heart of Wessex Line, also known as the Bristol to Weymouth line, is a United Kingdom railway line that runs from Bristol to Westbury Westbury is a Town and Civil parish (population 11135 in the 2001 census in the west of the English county of Wiltshire, most famous for the Bristol ( ˈbrɪstəl is a city, Unitary authority and ceremonial county in South West England, west of London Its size was appropriate for the rail traffic that came in and out of Weymouth on summer Saturdays, however it was oversized as trains became less popular, and was demolished in 1986. A smaller station took up part of the site, and the rest was given to commercial development. Parts of the South West Main Line west of Poole have been reduced from dual to single track; as part of preparations for the 2012 Olympic Games, local councils have lobbied the Department for Transport to relay the track and increase services to London and Bristol, and to introduce new direct services to Exeter. Poole ( is a large coastal town and seaport in Dorset on the south coast of England In the United Kingdom, the Department for Transport (or DfT) ( Welsh: Adran am Drafnidiaeth) is the government department London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. Exeter ( (IPA ˈeksɪtər is a city, district and County town of Devon, England. ^[69] Services to London Waterloo began running every 30 minutes from December 2007, but services through Bristol to Cardiff were reduced. Cardiff ( 'kɑːdɪf) is the Capital and the largest city and county in Wales. ^[70]

An unusual feature of the railways in Weymouth was that until 1987 trains ran through the streets along the Weymouth Harbour Tramway to the Quay station at the eastern end of the harbour, to travel to mainland Europe by sea. The Weymouth Harbour Tramway is an unusual railway feature a goods and passenger railway constructed almost entirely on the streets of Weymouth, England. Weymouth Quay railway station is a disused Continental Europe, also referred to as mainland Europe or simply the Continent, is the Continent of Europe, explicitly excluding European Due to declining business, goods traffic ceased in 1972, but passenger services continued until 1987, when these services ceased from lack of use. ^[71] The Quay Station houses the Condor Ferries Terminal; Condor Ferries' main UK port is Weymouth, and the HSC Condor Express runs from the harbour to the French port of St Malo, and the Channel Islands of Guernsey and Jersey. Condor Ferries is an operator of ferry services between mainland England and the Channel Islands, between England and France, and between France and the History Condor Express was built in 1996 at the Incat Yards in Tasmania, Australia for use by Condor Ferries then joint owned This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Saint-Malo ( Breton: Sant-Maloù; Gallo: Saent-Malô) is a walled port city in Brittany in northwestern The Channel Islands ( Norman: Îles d'la Manche, French: Îles Anglo-Normandes or Îles de la Manche) are a group of Islands The Bailiwick of Guernsey (Bailliage de Guernesey is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy. The Bailiwick of Jersey ( Jèrriais: Jèrri) is a British Crown dependency off the coast of Normandy, France. ^[72]

Local bus services are run by First Hampshire & Dorset, which bought the local Southern National company. First Hampshire & Dorset is a subsidiary bus company within FirstGroup, which operates buses and trains throughout Great Britain. Services run from Weymouth to the Isle of Portland, Dorchester, Bournemouth, Wool, Beaminster, Axminster, other villages and the town's holiday parks. The Isle of Portland ( is a limestone tied island long by wide in the English Channel. Dorchester is a Market town in southern central Dorset, England, on the River Frome at the junction of the A35 and A37 Bournemouth ( is a large coastal resort town in the Borough of Bournemouth in Dorset, England. Wool is a village in the Purbeck district of Dorset, England. Beaminster is a small Town and Civil parish in the West Dorset district of Dorset in South West England. Axminster is a small market town on the eastern border of Devon, England. ^[73] Weymouth is connected to towns and villages along the Jurassic Coast by the Jurassic Coast Bus service, which runs along the route of 142 kilometres (88 mi) from Exeter to Poole, through Sidford, Beer, Seaton, Lyme Regis, Charmouth, Bridport, Abbotsbury, Weymouth, Wool, and Wareham. The Jurassic Coast is a World Heritage Site on the English Channel coast of southern England. Poole ( is a large coastal town and seaport in Dorset on the south coast of England Sidford is a small Village in the Civil parish of and on the outskirts of the Town of Sidmouth in the English county of The town of Beer is in south east Devon, England, on Lyme Bay. Seaton is a seaside town in East Devon on the south coast of England. Lyme Regis (ˌlaɪmˈriːdʒɪs is a coastal town in West Dorset, England, situated 25 Miles west of Dorchester and east of Exeter Charmouth is a village at the Mouth of the River Char in West Dorset, England. Bridport is a town in Dorset, England. Located near the Coast at the Western end of Chesil Beach at the confluence of the rivers This article is about a village in England For the suburb in Sydney Australia see Abbotsbury New South Wales Abbotsbury is a large Village Wareham is a historic Market town and under the name Wareham Town, a Civil parish, in the English county of Dorset. This service is convenient for walkers who can ride the bus to or from a walk along the coast. The South West Coast Path is Britain's longest waymarked long-distance footpath and a National Trail. ^[11][74]

The A354 and A353 roads, Condor Ferries, and the South Western and Heart of Wessex lines link to Weymouth.

The A354 road connects the town to the A35 trunk road in Dorchester, and terminates at Easton on the Isle of Portland. The A354 is a Primary route in England which runs from Salisbury in Wiltshire to the Isle of Portland in Dorset, a The A35 is a Trunk road in southern England, running from Honiton in Devon, that then passes through Dorset and terminates in Southampton A trunk road, trunk highway, or strategic road is a major Road &mdashusually connecting two or more cities, Ports Airports Easton is the second largest of eight villages on the Isle of Portland in Dorset, England. The A353 road runs east from Weymouth to the south of Warmwell, where it connects with the A352 to the Isle of Purbeck and Wareham. Warmwell is a hamlet in south west Dorset, England, situated five Miles south east of Dorchester. Dorset is a county in South West England. The county is largely rural and therefore does not have a dense transport network and is one of the few English counties The Isle of Purbeck, not a true island but a Peninsula, is in the county of Dorset, England. In the 1980s the town centre was bypassed by the A354 to Portland, but the government's road building policy changed before a proposed relief road could be completed. The A354 follows its original route through Upwey and Broadwey, where traffic problems are common at peak tourist times, particularly on event days such as the carnival. ^[75]

The relief road's construction was delayed by opposition from residents and environmental groups, including Transport 2000 and the Campaign to Protect Rural England, who object to the route's partial destruction of a nature reserve, which is an AONB and SSSI. Environmentalism is a broad philosophy and Social movement centered on a concern for the conservation and improvement of the environment. The Campaign for Better Transport (CBT formerly Transport 2000, is a UK advocacy group that promotes the provision of better bus and The Campaign to Protect Rural England ( CPRE) is a registered charity with over 60000 members and supporters An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB is an area of countryside with significant landscape value in England, Wales or Northern Ireland A Site of Special Scientific Interest or SSSI is a Conservation designation denoting a Protected area in the United Kingdom. ^[76] With Weymouth and Portland scheduled to host 2012 Olympic sailing events the project reopened; the local authorities favouring a more environmentally friendly proposal than in the 1990s. ^[75] On 5 April 2007, Dorset County Council granted planning permission for a modified proposal including a single carriageway running 7 kilometres (4 mi) north, and a 1000-space park-and-ride scheme, costing £84. Events 456 - St Patrick returns to Ireland as a missionary bishop Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Dorset ( (or archaically, Dorsetshire) is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast The Pound Sterling ( symbol £; ISO code: GBP) subdivided into 100 pence (singular penny) is the Currency 5 million. ^[77] Without major delays, work is expected to commence in 2008; it was agreed that the work be completed in three years, in time for the 2012 Olympic sailing events. ^[77]

Education

Weymouth College of further education in Melcombe Regis

The Chesil Education Partnership pyramid area operates in south Dorset, and includes five infant schools, four junior schools, twelve primary schools, four secondary schools and two special schools. An Infant school is a type of School which caters for young children usually between the ages of 4 and 7 years A junior school is a type of School which caters for children often between the ages of 4 and 11 See also Primary education A primary school (from French école primaire) is an institution where children receive the first stage of Compulsory Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational Institution where the final stage of compulsory schooling known as Secondary education, takes A special school is a school catering to students who have Special educational needs e ^[1] 73. 3% of Weymouth residents have qualifications, which is slightly below the Dorset average of 73. 8%. ^[1] 8. 8% of residents have higher qualifications (Level 4+), about half the Dorset average of 18. Further education (often abbreviated "FE" is Post-secondary Education (in addition to that received at Secondary school) that is distinct from 3%. ^[1]

There are three secondary schools in Weymouth—All Saints' Church of England School in Wyke Regis, Budmouth Technology College in Chickerell and Wey Valley School and Sports College in Broadwey. The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England, the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Wyke Regis (ˌwaɪkˈriːdʒɪs is a village in south Dorset, England. Budmouth Technology College is a foundation, comprehensive, DfES designated Technology College for boys and girls situated in Weymouth, Chickerell is a village north-west of Weymouth in west Dorset, England. The Wey Valley School and Sports College is a school and sports college in Broadwey, Weymouth, in the county of Dorset, in southern England. Broadwey is a former Village in the northern Suburbs of Weymouth, Dorset, England, on the A354 road. The fourth secondary school in the Chesil Education Partnership is Royal Manor Arts College on the Isle of Portland. The Isle of Portland ( is a limestone tied island long by wide in the English Channel. All Saints' has 921 students on roll, Budmouth has 1560 and Wey Valley 1171. ^[78] In 2006, 31% of students at Wey Valley, and 58% of students at All Saints' and Budmouth, attained five or more A* to C GCSEs including English and mathematics. The General Certificate of Secondary Education ( GCSE) is the name of an academic qualification awarded in a specified subject generally taken in a number of subjects by ^[78]

Budmouth College also has a sixth form centre which had 296 students in 2006. The sixth form, in the English, Welsh and Northern Irish education systems Commonwealth West Indian countries such as Barbados, Belize ^[79] Weymouth College in Melcombe Regis is a further education college which has around 7,500 students from South West England and overseas,^[80] about 1500 studying A-Level courses. Weymouth College is a Further Education College located in Weymouth, England. Melcombe Regis is an area of Weymouth in Dorset, England. Situated on the north shore of Weymouth harbour and originally part of the waste of Radipole Further education (often abbreviated "FE" is Post-secondary Education (in addition to that received at Secondary school) that is distinct from South West England is one of the Regions of England. It is the largest such region in terms of area and extends from Gloucestershire and Wiltshire to The A-level, short for Advanced Level, is a General Certificate of Education qualification in England, Northern Ireland and Wales, ^[79] In 2006, Budmouth students received an average of 647. 6 UCAS points, and Weymouth College students gained 614. The UCAS Points System is a means of differentiating students based upon grades from various post-GCSE qualifications 1. ^[79] Some secondary and A-Level students commute to Dorchester to attend The Thomas Hardye School; in 2007, 79% of Hardye school students received five or more A* to C GCSEs, and 78% of all A-Level results were A to C grades. Dorchester is a Market town in southern central Dorset, England, on the River Frome at the junction of the A35 and A37 The Thomas Hardye School is a Secondary school in Dorchester Dorset. ^[81]

Sport and recreation

The beach volleyball classic is held on Weymouth beach every July.

Weymouth's wide and shallow sandy beach is used for swimming and sunbathing during the tourist season,^[11] and for beach sport events throughout the year,^[55] including beach motocross,^[58] the International handball championships^[57] and the beach volleyball classic. Weymouth Beach is a gently curving arc of Sand in Weymouth Bay, beside the town of Weymouth in Dorset, England. Motocross is a form of Motorcycle sport or All-terrain vehicle racing held on enclosed Off road circuits ^[56] The international kite festival, held in May each year on Weymouth Beach, attracts around 40,000 spectators to the esplanade from around the world. ^[82]

The local football club, Weymouth F.C. or 'the Terras', are outside the Football League but, in common with other non-league clubs, they became professional in 2005. Weymouth FC, also known as "The Terras" are a Dorset -based English football club based in the town of Weymouth, who play in the The Football League, also known as the Coca-Cola Football League for sponsorship reasons is a league competition featuring professional football clubs ^[83] The team enjoyed erratic success at their level; twice playing in the third round of the FA Cup, the highest club competition level. The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football, run by and named after ^[83] At the end of the 2005–06 season the team became champions of the Conference South (the sixth level of English football) meaning that they compete in the Conference National (the fifth level) for the first time since 1989. Conference South (currently billed as Blue Square South for sponsorship reasons is one of the second divisions of the Football Conference in England, taking Conference National (currently named the Blue Square Premier for sponsorship reasons is the top division of the Football Conference. ^[84] The Terras' ground is the Wessex Stadium; its record attendance is 6,500 against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup 2005–2006 season. Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English professional football club based at the City Ground in West Bridgford, a suburb of Nottingham ^[85]

The Wessex Stadium is out of town, but until 1987 the team played at a ground near the town centre, which is now an Asda supermarket. Asda is a United Kingdom Supermarket chain which retails food clothing and general merchandise The club's move pre-dated the move to new out-of-town grounds by professional league clubs, and was the first football stadium opened in England in 32 years. ^[86] Motorcycle speedway racing was staged at the stadium from 1954 until the redevelopment; Weymouth's team was revived in 2003, and 'the Wildcats' play at a track adjacent to the stadium. Motorcycle speedway, usually referred to as speedway, is a Motorcycle sport involving four and sometimes up to six riders competing over four anti-clockwise The Weymouth Wildcats are a British Speedway team based in Weymouth, England who currently race in the Conference League. ^[86] In 2005 a scheme was proposed to rebuild the Wessex Stadium to occupy a pitch-and-putt golf course, coincidentally with Asda building on the previous stadium site. Although the plans were to move by August 2007, the scheme was shelved before construction could begin. ^[87]

Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy

On the shores Portland Harbour, 3 kilometres (2 mi) south of Wyke Regis, is Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, where the sailing events of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will take place. Portland Harbour is located beside the Isle of Portland, off Dorset, on the south coast of England. Wyke Regis (ˌwaɪkˈriːdʒɪs is a village in south Dorset, England. Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy is a centre for the sport of sailing on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, on the south coast See also 2012 Summer Olympics The 2012 Summer Paralympic Games will be the fourteenth Paralympics and will take place between 29 August 2012 ^[88] The main reason that the resort was chosen to be an Olympic venue was because the National Sailing Academy had only recently been built, so no venue would have to be built. The 2012 Summer Olympic venues are mostly located in the host city of London, though some other events require facilities located elsewhere ^[88] However, as part of the South West of England Regional Development Agency's plans to redevelop Osprey Quay, in which the academy is built, a new 600-berth marina and an extension with more on-site facilities will be built. The South West of England Regional Development Agency leads the development of a sustainable economy in the South West England, investing to unlock the region’s business potential ^[89] Weymouth and Portland are likely to be the first in the United Kingdom to finish building a venue for the Olympic Games, as construction started in October 2007 and will finish at the end of 2008. ^[90]

The waters of Weymouth and Portland were credited by the Royal Yachting Association as the best in Northern Europe for sailing. Weymouth Bay is a sheltered Bay on the south coast of England, in Dorset. The Royal Yachting Association ( RYA) is the national governing body for Watersports in the United Kingdom. Northern Europe is a term for the northern part of Europe. The United Nations defines Northern Europe as (Finland ^[91] Local, national and international sailing events are regularly held in the bay; these include the J/24 World Championships in 2005, trials for the 2004 Athens Olympics, the ISAF World Championship 2006, the BUCS Fleet Racing Championships, and the RYA Youth National Championships. See also Sailing J/22 J/27 Sloop The 2004 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, was an International Multi-sport event which was celebrated The International Sailing Federation (ISAF is the world governing body for the sport of Sailing, particularly yacht, dinghy, Windsurfing and ^[92] Weymouth Bay is a venue for other water-sports—the reliable wind is favourable for wind- and kite-surfing. Windsurfing is a surface water sport using a windsurf board also commonly called a sailboard usually two to five meters long and powered by a single sail Kitesurfing, kiteboarding, uses wind power to pull a rider through the water on a small Surfboard or a kiteboard (which is like a Wakeboard) The sheltered waters in Portland Harbour and near Weymouth are used for angling, diving to shipwrecks, snorkelling, canoeing, jet skiing, water skiing, and swimming. ^[93]

See also

• 2012 Summer Olympic venues
• List of Dorset beaches
• Lyme Bay
• List of places in Dorset
• Tourism
• UK coastline
• Water-sports
• Jack Foreman Mantle

References and notes

External links

• Long-term analysis of Weymouth's weather records
• The Waterfront Weymouth
• Visit Weymouth
• Weymouth & Portland: The tourist guide
• Weymouth and Portland Borough Council
• Weymouth Local and Family History
• Weymouth.co.uk

Photographs

• A virtual cab-ride along the Weymouth Quay line
• A Virtual Tour of Weymouth
• Dorset's Towns and Villages in 3D: Weymouth
• Photographs of Weymouth
• Pictures of Weymouth
• Weymouth Photo Gallery
• Weymouth Sand Sculpture Gallery
• Weymouth Views