BBC reports that posters for the forthcoming Wallace and Gromit spectacular The Curse of the Were-Rabbit on the south-coast island of Portland will not contain the word “rabbit” out of respect for local tradition which has it that the mere utterance of the word causes quarries to collapse entombing local workers
Where can you not say rabbit?
Portland
There is an unwritten rule in Portland that you do not use the word ‘rabbit’ as they are associated with bad luck. Mention rabbits in a Portland pub and, as tradition has it, you could clear the bar.
Why is it called Portland Bill?
The name “Portland Bill” has its roots in “The Beel” as named on early maps. This derived from the beak shape of Portland Bill. From 1588 onwards, when the area was part of a crucial Armanda invasion-warning network, it was often named “The Beacon”.
Did Portland used to be an island?
The Island and Royal Manor of Portland is a limestone tied island, 4 miles long by 1.7 miles wide, jutting out into the English Channel, and connected to the mainland by Chesil Beach. Despite its small size, Portland has an extensive and captivating history.
Where is Portland Dorset?
Portland is a town in Dorset, a county on the south coast of the West Country, in England. Portland is actually an island, even though it is linked to the mainland by Chesil Beach, as Chesil Beach is a shoal beach (not a tombolo).
Why can’t you say pig on a boat?
Good luck — If someone says “good luck” to you as you leave for a fishing trip, you’ll be sure to have bad luck instead. Pig — Many sailors won’t transport pigs on their boats or even allow the word to be spoken. Pigs are considered to be bad luck because they can’t swim.
Why should you not say rabbit on a boat?
Superstition: Never say “rabbit” on a boat
A rabbit’s foot may bring luck on dry land, but never mention the R-word once you’re out at sea. It may be because the Devil might disguise himself as a rabbit. Also, many Westcountry seamen won’t say church, pig, fox or cat.
Can you walk along Chesil Beach?
Technically Chesil Beach is 18 miles and runs from Portland at Chesil Cove, past Abbotsbury (where the spit rejoins the mainland), to Westbay in Bridport, so this walk is only walking part of the beach.
Who owns Isle of Portland?
Portland is in the Dorset unitary authority, administered by Dorset Council. The island forms one of the 52 wards and elects three members to the council. Portland is an ancient royal manor, and until the 19th century remained a separate liberty within Dorset for administration purposes.
What is Portland UK known for?
Portland is well known for its coastal scenery, Jurassic past, historic pubs, and excellent museums. There is plenty for all the family to enjoy.
Why is it called Swan Island in Portland?
It is not known why the name was changed to Swan Island. A bar in the Willamette River at Swan Island obstructed navigation, and as early as 1873 the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began congressionally authorized improvements at the location, consisting mostly of dredging.
What is Portland Weymouth famous for?
The area is famous for its quarries which produce the highly desirable Portland Stone, used to build St Paul’s Cathedral and Buckingham Palace.
Can you drive on the Isle of Portland?
There is only one road on and off the ‘island’ which is flanked by water on both sides. To the left the views extend over Portland Harbour – one of the largest man-made harbours in the world.
What is Portland in Dorset famous for?
Portland is famous for ‘Portland stone‘, a much-prized limestone carved from local quarries for centuries. Most of the quarries now lie abandoned, but one has been turned into a sculpture park, with art by local sculptors scattered along trails through the old stone workings.
Is Chesil Beach man made?
At the end of the last Ice Age, about 15-20,000 years ago, the sea levels began to rise, eroding large quantities of gravel and sand from the cliffs of what is now Lyme Bay. This was driven eastwards by the prevailing wind and waves, forming Chesil Beach and the shingle that is found there today.
Is Portland Dorset a nice place to live?
Crime and Safety in Portland. Portland is the second most dangerous small town in Dorset, and is the 21st most dangerous overall out of Dorset’s 250 towns, villages, and cities. The overall crime rate in Portland in 2021 was 61 crimes per 1,000 people.
What does no bananas on a boat mean?
Yes, fishermen are a superstitious lot. The fear of bananas on board seems to have its origins in the 1700s, when the Caribbean trade was in full swing. It was believed that boats carrying bananas had to move quickly to deliver the fruits before they spoiled, leaving little to no time for fishermen to troll for fish.
Why are bananas not allowed on a boat?
The banana superstition dates all the way back to the 1700s, when many lost or ill-fated ships were noted to have been carrying bananas to their destination. It is perhaps because of this occurrence that bananas became known as omens of danger and misfortune for ships.
Why is green unlucky on a boat?
Green colour is generally assumed to be highly unlucky. The origins of this superstition are different but the most reliable ones are two. The first refers to the green colour of mould which could corrode the woods of ancient sailing ships, hence extremely likely to cause their dissolution and consequent sink.
Why should you not whistle on a ship?
Boating Myth #1: No Whistling Allowed
Sailors commonly believed that whistling aboard a boat would bring bad weather. Whistling was said to challenge the wind and cause it to increase, which could bring in a storm. Singing on a boat may also have been forbidden for the same reason.
How do sailors say good luck?
The use of the expression “fair winds” is used to wish a person a safe journey or good fortune.