Hello Poole!

We’re back after the bank holiday – and yes we’re still obsessed with ice cream. This week’s issue kicks off The Great Whippy Off – our mission to find Poole’s best 99 (and we need your nominations!). We’ve also got a reminder that the Bournemouth Writing Festival is live this week, a charity art exhibition worth popping into, and your guide to what’s on in and around Poole over the Eastweekend. Dive in – it’s a good one.

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Got an event, business, or local story to share? Drop us a message at [email protected]—we’d love to hear from you!

🥶 Whippy-Off Update: The Race for Poole’s Best 99 Is Heating Up!

We’ve had loads of fantastic nominations already for The Great Poole Whippy-Off, thank you to everyone who’s taken part so far!

Top contenders nominated so far include Ice Cream Bournemouth, The Ark in Poole Park, Dorset Gifts on Poole Quay, and The Haven Ferry Café. Not a bad start, but we know there are more hidden gems out there.

Got a favourite that hasn’t made the list yet? Now’s the time to shout about it.

We want to hear about your go-to spot for:

• Perfectly swirled ice cream 🍦

• Great value 💷

• A view that makes you stop and smile 🌊

📩 Reply to this email, or comment on our latest Facebook or Instagram post to send in your nomination. We’re reading every single one.

Let’s make sure the best 99 in Poole gets the crown it deserves! 👑

🎨 SAMEE exhibition lands at Bobby’s

A powerful new art exhibition opens at Bobby’s in Bournemouth Square from Tues 6 – Fri 16 May, celebrating young entrepreneurs in style.

Created by The SAMEE Charity, mentor Ollie England and Jeenewoosh’s Nathan White, the show features work from interns on SAMEE’s self-employment programme – a UK-first qualification for disadvantaged young people starting their own businesses.

Expect bold, personal photography and artwork on the 1st floor of Bobby’s (the old Debenhams). Interns have planned and produced every part of the show – and it’s well worth a look. Learn more at samee.co.uk.

🛣️ Millions pledged to fix roads and potholes

Good news for anyone with a bumpy commute: £10million has been pledged to improve road surfaces, bridges, drainage and lighting across Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch.

The £1.2m pothole fund is part of a wider £7.5m maintenance budget from Government, with an additional £3.1m set aside for improving accessibility, public transport, safety and active travel.

BCP Council is responsible for 780 miles of roads, and this funding boost means more proactive work, fewer potholes, and better journeys for everyone. Details via bcpcouncil.gov.uk.

🪂 Watch the skies – parachute training this week

Eyes up! Military parachute training is happening over Poole Harbour this week – from Tuesday 22 April to Friday 25 April 2025.

Training drops will be based on the weather, with three designated landing zones near Studland and the entrance to the Swash Channel. Expect to see parachutes in the air over the water throughout the week.

The exercise is part of Royal Air Force training operations, and Poole Harbour Commissioners have issued a Local Notice to Mariners.

🏡 PooleNow Property Pick

If you’ve got a spare £15 million and a desire to wake up each morning wondering if you live in Poole or Malibu, this beachside superhome on Sandbanks might just be for you. Complete with an infinity pool, cinema room, and a wine store to help process the price tag.

Check it out for yourself 👉 View the listing

🎙️ Real talk from Poole’s entrepreneurs

Foundry is a co-working space in The Dolphin that’s helping shape the future of work in Poole. It’s where freelancers, startups and ambitious businesses find community, flexibility and momentum.

Now, Foundry has launched Work This Way — a weekly podcast featuring real stories from real people building their businesses. They involve having honest conversations about what it actually takes to grow something meaningful.

The podcast includes interviews with Foundry Poole members like Alice Coates (a headhunter with Texas hustle), Carly Jermyn (a local legal entrepreneur), and Hayden Firth (a dancer-turned-HR-pro). It’s packed with insights, inspiration and a good dose of local pride.

If you want to learn from the people shaping Poole’s business scene — and maybe even find your next collaborator — this one’s for you.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or via the Foundry website.

🧘‍♀️ Sunset yoga, solstice vibes & nightjars

Breathe in, stretch out, and let go... on Brownsea Island. This summer, the National Trust is hosting a series of relaxing yoga, meditation and forest bathing sessions – kicking off with a magical Summer Solstice celebration on Thursday 20 June.

Join local teacher Sonja Lockyer for an all-levels yoga session, followed by a picnic dinner in the castle grounds, meditation, and a moonlit nightjar walk across the heath. ✨

More sessions continue in July and September. Ready to refresh your mind, body and spirit?

👉 Book now

🏏 Cricket for kids at Poole Park & Broadstone

All Stars Cricket is back – and it’s the perfect way to get 5–8 year olds active and smiling this summer. Expect eight weeks of high-energy sessions with games, skills and lots of fun.

Sessions run:

📍 Poole Park – Fridays, 5:30pm (from 9 May)
📍 Broadstone – Fridays, 5:00pm (from 9 May)
🎟️ £50 for the full programme, includes a personalised t-shirt, bat, ball and backpack.

Parents are encouraged to join in too – no experience needed!
👉 Find a session & sign up

🏃‍♂️ Foundry Five: 5k, new mates & post-run drinks

This one’s for the runners and the social butterflies. Foundry Five is a relaxed 5k run along Sandbanks followed by drinks and networking back at Rockwater Branksome.

No pressure on pace. No awkward intros. Just a good crowd, good vibes, and maybe your next mate or business contact.

🗓️ Thursday 1 May
🕕 6pm meet | 6:30pm run | 7pm drinks
📍 Rockwater Branksome
🎟️ Sign up here

VE Day lunch at La-Mia’s

La-Mia’s at Hennings Wharf is hosting a special VE Day lunch on Thursday 8 May 2025, complete with 1940s music and wartime-style decorations.

Celebrate with a delicious two-course meal for just £19.95 per person, served from 12–3pm. It’s also a nod to Poole’s history – did you know boats from the Quay were used during the Normandy invasion in 1944?

Book now via la-mias.co.uk or call 01202 072831.

What’s on this week in (and around) Poole

✍️ Young writers, take note!

The Bournemouth Writing Festival kicks off this week — a brilliant celebration of words, ideas and creativity. If you missed our full feature, head back to Issue No.9 for all the details on what the festival's about and why it’s worth your time.

But here’s something for the next generation of storytellers…

On Saturday 26 April, Patch (1st floor of Bobbys) hosts a full day of creative writing workshops for children and young people, with both free and ticketed options. Here’s what’s on:

🎟️ Ticketed Workshops (£10 each – parents go free):
• Write Like Shakespeare (8+) – 10:00–11:00
• Character Development for Young Writers (8+) – 11:45–12:45
• Destructive Writing (9+) – 13:30–14:30
• What Makes an Exciting Screenplay? (9–16) – 16:00–17:00

🆓 Free Activities (10:00–17:00):
• Drop-in writing fun with ArtfulScribe & Authentic Education at Patch
• Writing on the Beach (from 10:30)
• Poetry Hub in the Bandstand (Sat & Sun)
• Words for Wellbeing at the Russell-Cotes Museum (Sat & Sun)

It's all designed to get kids writing, creating and exploring their voices. And yes — there's free Clipper tea for parents, too.

More info at: bournemouthwritingfestival.co.uk

Tuesday

World Earth Day, The Dolphin, 10am–4pm
Explore fast fashion, renewable energy, and plastic-free living with XR BCP. Make a pledge and learn how to lower your impact.
See details

Fashion Revolution: A Sustainable Fashion Event, Gather at The Dolphin
Join Tailoresque in GATHER for a sustainable fashion event in celebration of Fashion Revolution Week!
Upcycle your wardrobe

Wednesday

Poole Pirates vs Plymouth Gladiators, Poole Stadium, 7:30pm (Gates 6:30pm)
South coast rivals go head to head in this high-energy speedway clash. Kids under 11 go free.
Book tickets

St George’s Quiz Night, The George Hotel, 8pm
Celebrate England’s patron saint with a themed quiz, £10 sausage & mash + pint deal, and sweet treats throughout the evening.
Join the fun

Paint and Prosecco Evening, Heather’s Tea Room, 7.30pm
Love being creative? Come and join this fantastic evening and enjoy being an artist for the evening with a Prosecco in your hand!
Unleash your creativity

Rockwater Wine & Cheese Club: A Social Ritual, Rockwater Branksome, 7:30pm
Indulge in an evening of fine wines and cheeses in a relaxed setting.
Book now

Giovanni Pernice The Last Dance, Lighthouse, 7:45pm
Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice returns in 2025 with his tour ‘The Last Dance’.
Get tickets

Thursday

Live and Unheard, Lighthouse Poole, 8:00pm
Discover emerging musical talents in this live showcase.
Experience the music

Mussels La Mouclade & Clams Masterclass, Rick Stein Sandbanks, 6:00pm
Learn to prepare classic seafood dishes with expert guidance.
Reserve your spot

Stand Up Comedy Night, The Bermuda Triangle, 8:00pm
Laugh the night away. Doors open at 7.30pm.
Insert joke here

Friday

Pier Presents: Volume 10 Magazine Launch Party, Koh Thai Bournemouth, 6:00pm
Celebrate the latest issue of Pier Journal with drinks and good vibes.
Get tickets

Jazz Café Sandbanks: Derek Nash, Sandbanks Hotel, evening
One of the UK's top saxophonists brings energy and showmanship to this intimate live jazz night with the Andy Urquhart Quartet.
Enjoy the music

The Magic of the Beatles, Lighthouse, 7.30pm
Playing to sell-out audiences all over the world – and now touring the nation, The Magic of the Beatles is an unforgettable Beatles tribute.
Join the magical musical tour

Saturday

Allegro Orchestra: Music from Stage & Screen, St Peter’s Church, 7pm (Doors 6:15pm)
A night of music from the movies and musicals. Licensed bar from 6:15pm.
Book tickets

Spring Craft & Collectables Fayre, The Spire, High Street, Poole
Discover handmade crafts, vintage finds, and more at this town centre market. Free entry.
Browse the stalls

Makers Market, Gather at The Dolphin
MakerSpace Markets brings together handmade, one-of-a-kind gifts and artwork from a collective of local makers, artists, and small businesses.
Find something unique

LUSH Bath Bomb Workshop & Afternoon Tea, Hotel du Vin Poole, 2pm–4pm
Create your own signature bath bomb, then unwind with a luxury afternoon tea.
Reserve your place

Beginner’s Photography Class, Poole Park, 2pm (3 hours)
Master camera settings, work with natural light, and learn composition in a stunning outdoor setting.
Sharpen your skills

Block Printing Workshop, The Hub on the Heath, 10am–12pm
Design and print your own tea towel using traditional Indian printing blocks. Includes refreshments.
Get creative

Canford School Open Morning, Canford School
Meet staff, tour the campus, and explore the new Sixth Form centre. Booking required.
Plan your visit

Cobbs Quay Marina Open Day, Cobbs Quay Marina
Tour the marina, browse the boat jumble sale, and meet the team. Fundraising activities for Guide Dogs UK.
Find out more

English Touring Opera Bellini: The Capulets & The Montagues, Lighthouse, 7.30pm
The Capulets & The Montagues is a tale of two households at war and of two lovers in over their heads
Get your tickets

Sunday

The Classic Vehicle & Steam Engine Show, Neddy Green, Lytchett Matravers, 10:00am
Wander round the craft and gift stalls, visit the delicious food stalls and enjoy the live music whilst being surrounded by classic vehicles and steam engines.
Fingers crossed for sunshine

Rockwater Quiz Night, Rockwater Branksome, 6:30pm–9:00pm
Test your knowledge with a fun-filled quiz night overlooking the coast.
Join the fun

Monday

Quiz Night at The BT, Bermuda Triangle Pub, 7:30pm
A fun and interactive quiz night with bar snacks included.
Find out more

Monday Quiz Night with CK, The Grasshopper, 7pm
Join Crazy Karl for the quiz everyone’s talking about.
More details

Got a story? Know an inspiring individual? Want to promote a local charity? We’d love to hear about it—just drop us a message at [email protected].

That’s it! See you next week!