The BBC are reporting this afternoon that, if successful, a joint bid by The Portsmouth Society and the Isle of Wight Society could help make the Solent part of the Solent a World Heritage Site.
The bid is being made to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) who currently have 28 UK Heritage sites on their list, with a total of 878 sites worldwide (thanks Watchdog below for the update).
David Burdett, vice-chairman of The Isle of Wight Society, told the BBC, “The community that has built up around Portsmouth Harbour and the Spithead has developed over the last 2,000 years.
“It’s one of the most important military bases in the country. Between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight we have a very rich heritage and we feel it’s essential the whole story of the development is put together in one package.”
Although we’ve not been able to confirm it, the BBC also state that a meeting to help raise awareness and support for the Solent bid will be held on Friday evening (tonight?) at the George Street Centre in Ryde (t: 812774)
