page_title: Portishead, Somerset
section_title: Culture
hierarchical_section_title: Portishead, Somerset / Culture
caption_attribution_description: Sculpture Arch by Rick Kirby at Portishead/UK.
context_page_description: Portishead is a coastal town on the Severn Estuary, close to Bristol - but within the unitary district of North Somerset, which falls within the ceremonial county of Somerset, England. It has a population of around 25,000, with a growth rate considerably in excess of surrounding towns.
  Portishead has a long history as a fishing port. As a Royal Manor it expanded rapidly during the early 19th century around the docks, with supporting transport infrastructure. A power station and chemical works were added in the 20th century, but the dock and industrial facilities have since closed and been redeveloped into a marina and residential areas. Portishead was also the telephone control centre used by British Telecom for non-direct dialled calls to maritime vessels, a service known as Portishead Radio.
  The town's population is expanding, and Portishead is now primarily a dormitory town for Bristol and its environs, although a range of service industries has grown up. The headquarters of both Avon and Somerset Constabulary and Avon Fire and Rescue Service are in Portishead.
context_section_description: The Bristol-based trip hop group Portishead took their name from the town, despite describing it as their "dreary home-town".  Chaos UK is a punk band that was formed in Portishead in 1979.  The town was also the birthplace of leading Scrumpy and Western singer Adge Cutler.
  There are various groups and societies in the town, including the Gordano society that is involved in history, conservation, environment, planning and wildlife issues; a horticultural society; and the Portishead Railway Group that is campaigning for the Portishead to Bristol railway line to be re-opened. There are also church and youth organisations such as the Portishead Youth Club - a choral society, which was formed in 1955 - and an annual carnival.
  A public art programme started in 1999 from the marina development, as part of a planning agreement between the developers (Crest Nicholson and Persimmon Homes) and North Somerset Council. An art trail takes in 28 public art works around the marina and Ashlands development.
caption: Arch by Rick Kirby, in the Ashlands development
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