A bit of news of our own to start with: PooleNow has been shortlisted as a finalist for Content Creator of the Year at the DMB Tourism Awards, and we're genuinely chuffed about it. Thank you all for reading, replying and sharing every week, because none of this happens without you. Oh and also thank you to the reader that sent this comment: “The article on the Haven Hotel was the most sense I’ve seen written on the topic!”

On to this week's issue: the Sandbanks chain ferry is closing for seven weeks from 1 November for a major refit, BCP Council is lining up possible sites for thousands of new homes, and Brownsea Island has finally got its post back after 18 months. We've also started a short series on the history of Poole's trams, for anyone who enjoyed last week's story.

There's plenty on this week too, from John Barrowman at Lighthouse to an overnight paranormal investigation at Merley House and the Brownsea Island Swim at the weekend.

Plus the usual local history trivia question and a property pick for a project in Canford Cliffs. Enjoy!

PooleNow is now proudly sponsored by Bournemouth One, the local radio station bringing you music, news and travel updates across Dorset. Listen whilst you read!

Worth putting in the diary now if you use the chain ferry: it is coming out of service for a major refit.

The last day of normal service is Sunday 1 November, with the final crossing leaving Shell Bay at 11.10pm. The ferry will then head to Poole Quay on Monday 2 November, with work carried out there and in Falmouth over roughly seven weeks, weather permitting.

General manager Wayne Row said the refit is essential to keep the ferry running safely and reliably. The ferry alternates between minor and major refits every two years, and the last major one was in 2022.

An exact return date will be announced in December, so it is the long way round via Sandford for most of November and into December.

BCP Council is taking the next step on its first ever Local Plan, the document that will shape where new homes and development go across the area for years to come.

The council says it needs to find space for 3,000 new homes a year to meet government housing targets (I can think of at least one suitable location!) Its cabinet will be asked to consider the evidence gathered so far, including sites put forward by developers, before a public consultation opens next month.

It is worth being clear about what this is and is not. No decisions have been made on sites or locations, and council leader Millie Earl stressed this is the evidence stage rather than a draft plan. She was critical of what she called the government's one size fits all targets, arguing they do not account for the area's coastline and protected heathland, but said that without a plan the council would lose control over where development goes.

The consultation runs from 29 October to 10 December. If you care about what gets built near you, that is the moment to have your say. We will post about it in a future issue when it gets published!

We have some news of our own this week, and we are genuinely delighted to share it: PooleNow has been named a finalist for Content Creator of the Year at the DMB Tourism Awards 2026.

The awards, run by the Destination Management Board in association with morebus, celebrate the businesses and people who make Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole a great place to visit, live and work. The Content Creator category recognises the storytellers and local champions who shine a light on the area, which is a lovely thing to be recognised for when that is exactly what we set out to do back in February 2025.

We are in good Poole company, too. Other local finalists include Poole Harbour Festival, Hotel du Vin Poole, The Pickled Berry, St Tropez Lounge, Shaka Surf, Rick Stein Sandbanks and South Lytchett Manor Caravan and Camping Park, which is up in two categories.

The winners will be revealed at a gala evening at the Hilton Bournemouth on Thursday 12 November. Whatever happens on the night, none of this would exist without you reading, replying and sharing each week. Thank you.

See the full shortlist on the DMB Tourism Awards website.

Young carers in Dorset want to be doctors, lawyers, engineers and pilots. What is holding many of them back is not ambition but getting through the door.

A new survey by MYTIME Young Carers asked 28 young carers about work experience. A quarter said anxiety and confidence were barriers, and 29 per cent said they would need help with travel, with only three able to walk to a placement. Time is a factor too, since caring responsibilities at home make rigid, full-week placements hard to fit around.

The demand is certainly there. Most wanted a placement of anywhere from a few days to two weeks, and 96 per cent said they would like to attend MYTIME's Employability Summit, taking place at Bournemouth University's Fusion Building on Wednesday 4 November with Dorset Chamber.

Chief executive Krista Cartlidge put it simply: these young people are not lacking ambition, ability or determination.

If your business could offer work experience, an insight day or some mentoring, even flexibly, MYTIME would love to hear from you. Employers can register interest for the summit here.

A new branch of Barclays Bank has opened up in The Dolphin Centre in Poole. It's quite the change from the usual news of locations being closed. The one in Poole is one of only three that Barclays are opening across the country.

This is one of the most popular sections of our newsletter - if you’re interested in sponsoring it in order to help keep PooleNow running - get in touch!

Looking for a project in Canford Cliffs? There’s so much potential here: 👉 View the property

Some good news from across the harbour: Royal Mail is delivering to Brownsea Island again for the first time in 18 months.

Deliveries stopped after the seabed beneath the National Trust's jetty at Sandbanks washed away in late 2024 and the jetty collapsed. With the new jetty now built, the island and its population of around 30 people are back on the daily round.

In the meantime, the National Trust switched to a PO Box, and a member of staff, Janis, stepped in as the island's unofficial postie, often cycling to the harbour with everyone's parcels.

A nice detail: the post box on the island carries Queen Victoria's cypher and has been in use since at least 1962. The new Sandbanks jetty is due to open to visitors for the 2027 season, so until then it is still Poole Quay for your trip over.

Last week we told you that BCP Council is dusting off the idea of trams as part of its 15 year transport strategy, and that Poole barely features in the plan. It caused quite a stir, with one reader writing in to suggest trams are dated and instead BCP should be building a solar powered monorail that runs along the beach above the beach huts. The whole thing has got us looking into more of our local history. Poole had trams once, and the full story of how they arrived, spread, and eventually disappeared is worth telling and may help us decide if it’s worth bringing them back. This is the first article in a short series doing exactly that.

The tram very nearly did not start in Poole at all. The British Electric Traction Company had wanted to run a network in Bournemouth, however Bournemouth Council said no. Rather than give up, the company turned its attention to Poole instead, securing the Poole and District Light Railway Order in 1899 for a single line between Poole, Upper Parkstone, and County Gates, the then boundary with Hampshire. They were legally barred from crossing that line into Bournemouth's own streets.

Construction began in May 1900, and the whole line was built and running within eleven months (There’s a target for BCP!). Poole's trams opened on 6 April 1901, in a smart Cambridge Blue and white livery, well over a year before Bournemouth got a tramway of its own.

The route ran three and three quarter miles from the original Poole railway station, along Parkstone Road, up North Road to the top of Constitution Hill then along through Upper Parkstone, to County Gates, with a fleet of seventeen tramcars working out of a depot on Ashley Road. That site is now where you'll find Waitrose. The full journey cost threepence.

Demand for the line to actually cross into Bournemouth was clear and that lead to major changes within just a few years of it starting up. Next time: how Poole Corporation bought the system in 1905, and handed the keys to Bournemouth.

The old Poole and District Electric Tramways depot on Ashley Road has had quite a life since the trams stopped running. It later served as a bus depot for Hants and Dorset, then Wilts and Dorset, before being demolished to make way for a Safeways supermarket, which is today the Waitrose on Ashley Road.

When the Poole trams ran in the early 1900s, County Gates was the last stop before the Hampshire border. The original gate was removed to make way for the construction of the roundabout and Frizzell House. But was originally there?

A reminder if you drive through Longfleet: the road is closed at the junction with Elizabeth Road while SGN carries out gas main works, with a local diversion in place. The works run until Sunday 29 November.

If you or someone you care for has been putting off a Blue Badge application because the forms felt like a maze, this should help.

BCP Council is launching a new digital application system on 13 October. It will guide applicants through questions tailored to their own circumstances, explaining what information and evidence they actually need to provide rather than asking for everything up front. The council says the aim is a better experience and fewer processing delays.

More details are on the BCP Council website.

Light and Movement: An Exhibition by Mike Jeffries, Lighthouse Poole, daily, closing Saturday 26 September

The final week of this exhibition by artist Mike Jeffries, exploring light, movement and colour. Last chance to catch it before it closes.

Art Cafe, Dolphin Shopping Centre, Wednesday 23 to Friday 25 September

Three days of relaxed, sociable art making at the Dolphin Shopping Centre, open to all.

Bike Nights on Poole Quay, The Quay Poole, from 5.30pm

The regular Tuesday evening bike meet on Poole Quay continues, running until around 9pm.

John Barrowman: My Life In Musicals, Lighthouse Poole, 7.45pm

John Barrowman brings a night of stories and songs from his career in musical theatre to Lighthouse Poole.

Supper Club with Paul Jaboulet Aine, Rockwater, 7pm to 11pm

An evening supper club at Rockwater featuring wines from Paul Jaboulet Aine.

BSN Final Redcar Bears v Poole Pirates, Poole Stadium, 7.30pm

The Pirates seek revenge as they attempt to win the BSN Final. Good luck!

Hannah East: Express Yourself, Lighthouse Poole, 7.30pm

Comedy from Hannah East at Lighthouse Poole.

PIPELINE: Classic, Lighthouse Poole, 8pm

A drama performance at Lighthouse Poole.

See Multiple Days above for Art Cafe at the Dolphin Shopping Centre, which starts today.

Grace Petrie, Lighthouse Poole, 7.45pm

A live show from singer songwriter Grace Petrie at Lighthouse Poole.

Live and Unheard: September, Lighthouse Poole, 8pm

Lighthouse Poole's regular showcase for new and emerging local music.

Waterloo A Tribute to ABBA, Lighthouse Poole, 7.30pm

An ABBA tribute show at Lighthouse Poole.

Oh Zeus!, Lighthouse Poole

A drama production at Lighthouse Poole, running tonight and tomorrow. No start time was given on Lighthouse's own listing.

Romeo Stodart of The Magic Numbers, Lighthouse Poole, 8pm

A solo show from Romeo Stodart, best known as frontman of The Magic Numbers.

Distraction, The Tap and Grape, Broadstone, from 8.30pm

Pop rock covers band Distraction play songs from Green Day, The Offspring, Nickelback, Adele, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Fall Out Boy and more.

Seafront Sessions, Rockwater Village, from 6pm

Bournemouth's free 5k run and rave. Meet at Rockwater at 6pm, run to music from 6.15pm along the seafront to Bournemouth Pier and back, then a live DJ on the decking from 7pm.

Jazz Cafe Sandbanks: Simon Spillett, 28 Shore Road, Sandbanks, from 7pm

Tenor saxophonist Simon Spillett, a fixture of the UK jazz scene for 25 years, performs with the Andy Urquhart Quartet.

Booking and details

Ghostly Nights, Merley House, Wimborne, from 8pm

A paranormal investigation running overnight until 2am, with EVP sessions, spirit box, Ouija, table tipping, vigils and free roam of the house. Refreshments provided. Tickets 50 pounds per person.

Booking and details

Swing Unlimited Dance Band: Goodbye to Summer Swing Dance, St Peter's, Poole

A swing dance evening at St Peter's, Poole, to see off the summer.

Cloud9 Duo, The Angel Pub, Poole, from 8.15pm

Sequenced duo Cloud9 play a two hour forty five minute set, with Gary on alto and tenor sax and keyboards, and Julia on vocals.

Harvest Full Moon Beach Dance, Branksome Chine Beach, from 6pm

SunFire Dance's beach gathering combining dance, meditation, a swim and socialising. Arrive from 5.45pm at the Lifeguard's Hut near Rockwater Restaurant. Bring water, a towel, warm layers and swimming gear.

More information

Rabbit and Rey and The Lost Things, Lighthouse Poole, 2pm

A family show at Lighthouse Poole.

Oh Zeus!, Lighthouse Poole

See Friday for details. Second and final night of this run.

Paul Simon's Graceland Reimagined, Lighthouse Poole, 7.30pm

A reimagining of Paul Simon's Graceland album, performed live at Lighthouse Poole.

Carl Hutchinson: Fine Whine, Lighthouse Poole, 8pm

Stand up comedy from Carl Hutchinson at Lighthouse Poole.

The Alibi, Bermuda Triangle Pub, 9pm to 11pm

Rock band The Alibi play live at the Bermuda Triangle Pub.

Shabby Road: End of Summer Party, S BOMB, 6pm to 11.59pm

A free entry end of summer party at S BOMB, with a food truck and full bar.

Cwmbach Male Voice Choir, St Peter's, Poole

The Cwmbach Male Voice Choir perform in aid of the Dorset Cancer Care Foundation.

Bournemouth Repair Kitchen, Dolphin Shopping Centre

A free repair service for household items and clothing, no time given on the centre's listing.

Brownsea Island Swim, Poole, from 9am

A 6.5km tidally assisted swim around Brownsea Island, organised by Sportiva Events with RLSS Poole Lifeguard, a non-profit running since 1991. Open to ages 18 and over, wetsuit or skins. No spectators can be accommodated.

Booking and details

Dorset Mind Big Walk, starting at Sandbanks, Poole, 7.45am

A sponsored walk starting at Sandbanks in aid of Dorset Mind.

Registration and details

World Reflexology Week Sensory Sunday, Dolphin Shopping Centre, 10am to 5pm

A sensory friendly shopping session with dimmed lights and quieter music, marking World Reflexology Week.

Pine Walk Artist, Dolphin Shopping Centre, all day

A local artist displays and sells their work at the Dolphin Shopping Centre.

“Really useful local newsletter in an easy to read format” - If you have enjoyed reading PooleNow and want to help us grow, tell your friends about us and follow us on social media.

Got a story? Know an inspiring individual? Want to promote a local charity? We’d love to hear about it—just reply to this email.