Portland College, Ravenshead, NG18

Image: © David Hallam-Jones Taken: 10 Nov 2013

The main reception building. This establishment is situated on a 20 acres (81,000 m2) site, part of Sherwood Forest. It was founded by Winifred, Duchess of Portland (1863-1954) who had nursed injured veterans in her home - Welbeck Abbey - during WWI and who was also responsible for many acts of charity related to miners’ welfare in this area. Her experiences in supporting injured veterans and miners led to the creation of nearby Harlow Wood Orthopaedic Hospital in 1929. Working with the hospital’s chief, surgeon Alan Malkin, the Duchess developed a plan to open a training college that could complete the work of rehabilitation, equipping injured working men with new trades to make them economically independent once more. WWII and the 1944 Disabled Persons (Employment) Act gave further impetus to this project and by 1946 a Committee was established to develop a plan for this institution and to raise the necessary money. The land was a gift from the Duke of Portland the College opened for business on 24 July 1950. Today the college seeks to meet the residential, educational and vocational needs of approximately 270 ‘disabled’ students of between 16-60 yrs.

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