Nothe Fort has watched over the comings and goings of Weymouth and its people since 1872 from its coastal peninsular. It’s presence in Weymouth has had a significant impact on visitors, and locals from all walks of life, giving them lasting and often shared memories.

Here, a local family in Weymouth share their story how Nothe Fort has been a staple in their family for three generations.

 

Our family has had a long and special relationship with the Nothe Fort. When our son was born in 1991, by the time he was three or four we were visiting museums to quench his inquisitive thirst for answers to all sorts of questions. Certainly by 1996/7 the Nothe was his favourite local place to explore. Those mice must have been counted a hundred times over the years. The nooks and crannies, the echoing staircases and corridors fascinated him. Gradually a passion for Military History became clear. The Keep, Bovington Tank Museum, Fleet Air Arm – but the Nothe was favourite allowing for freedom of exploration.

But his Grandparents were also involved and over the years, Grandpa’s passion for all things WW2 – having been a young member of the Home Guard, and Grandma Poppy too.

Now 95 years old, Mrs Butcher has recalled her memories of that day, 80 years on for the D Day Exhibition at the Nothe and known for her long-standing association with the armed forces and fundraising efforts. For over two decades, she and her late husband organised the enormously popular military vehicles parade as part of Weymouth’s Armed Forces Celebrations. Her father was killed in an air raid at Portland dockyard in 1940.

Working at the dockyard, 15-year-old Poppy Butcher was aware of the plans for D-Day but was sworn to secrecy.  She told us they weren’t allowed to talk about it [D-Day], they knew what was happening, but were sworn not to tell what was going on. She talks about watching the gliders take off the next day on the top of Portland. but forbidden to talk to any troops about it the day before and went to work the next day and it was empty. She loves telling her stories about the young American troops. She’d tell us: “Even after D-Day there were still troops they had to take more vehicles over. We used to meet the Americans in the park they would have tins of fruit, they would put a hole in the top, drink the juice and give us the fruit, we couldn’t get much like that because of rationing.”

Her father was killed in 1940 in an air raid the dockyard, he was working there and he was killed. Her and Joe’s grandpa John would commemorate every year, going to France with the Military Vehicles, until John Butcher died. 40 years ago John and Poppy started the Miltary Parade, with the Veterans marching after the service commemorating d Day.  Tis has happened every year for 30 years.

To this day Poppy’s son, my husband Kevin Butcher, drives their American Jeep – rescued from the deep hedgerows in France, and lovingly restored by Grandpa, John Butcher, his mum rides with him. They often attend Nothe Events with it, organising other vehicles to attend. And we are mostly to be seen with Poppy, and my mother (a REME Wife) at commemorative services too.

AsOne theatre company has also become very involved. With our Christmas Carol event in 2023, and this year too.

Joe’s Ghost tunnel and D Day Sound designs commissioned by the Nothe for events has almost brought us full circle. We are so proud to be a small part of the Nothe Fort’s rise in the Visitor Attraction community. Now a national winner – it remains always a community winner too.

Joe also performed there as Enjolras, The Student Leader on the Barricade in WOW Youth Musical Theatre Company’s Les Miserable 16 years ago!

Jane McKell & Family