Hello Poole!

This week we’re celebrating Blue Flag wins for our local beaches, preparing to say goodbye to the Great Tail Trail sculptures, and counting down to the final Whippy-Off votes 🍦. Plus, there’s a jam-packed Bank Holiday ahead with the Ultimate Festival at Upton Country Park, Lush’s 30th birthday celebrations, and top live events across town.
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Scroll on for everything happening right here in Poole this week…

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🎨 Tails come together for a farewell weekend

The Great Tail Trail might be ending on 1 June, but fans have one last chance to see all 88 sculptures in one place!
The Farewell Weekend takes over Bournemouth International Centre from 14–15 June. Expect fun family activities, artist meet-and-greets, mini sculpture design stations, and a proper send-off for these colourful creations.
🎟️ £5 for adults, £3 for under 17s, free for under 3s – and 20% off if you book online before midnight, Friday 13 June.

The Great Tail Trail Auction takes place on Friday 20 June at The Italian Villa at Compton Acres. Bids can be placed online, or you can buy a ticket to attend the auction in person.

Don’t forget all the money raised goes towards the amazing work done by local charity Julia’s House Children’s Hospice. To buy tickets or bid for a tail, visit their website.

🏖️ Nine BCP beaches keep Blue Flag status

It’s official: BCP’s beaches are still among the best in the world.
Nine local beaches – including Sandbanks, Branksome Chine and Canford Cliffs – have kept their prestigious Blue Flag awards for another year, recognising their top-tier cleanliness, safety, and facilities.
Sandbanks has now held the title for a record-breaking 38 years!

Which Poole beach is your favourite one to go to?

🔧 New Engineering Centre opens at BPC

Bournemouth & Poole College has unveiled a brand-new Engineering Centre – a state-of-the-art facility packed with hands-on learning spaces for students.
Opened on 14 May by Cllr. Millie Earl, the space features cutting-edge workshops, labs, project rooms and even a team meeting pod.
Students helped lead the tours, demonstrating the new machines and showing off what’s possible when education meets innovation.

🍦Whippy-Off Final Chance to Vote!

This is your last chance to vote for the People’s Champion! Hopefully the beautiful weather of the last few days has given you plenty of opportunity to get out and try the ones on our shortlist so that you can vote for your favourite. Vote now:

🌊We need your advice!

We’re running out of room in our current PooleNow format, so we’re thinking about changing how we deliver it — and we’d love your input!
One idea is to send two emails per week: one with news, and a separate one with events.
Another option is to keep everything together but still send it across two emails per week to avoid it feeling too long.
Which would you prefer? Or do you have a better suggestion? Let us know below!

🎉 Lush Poole turns 30!

One of Poole’s biggest success stories is turning 30! Lush is celebrating its roots with a big birthday bash at the Lush store in Poole this Saturday 24th May.

Expect free bath bomb making, live demonstrations, and behind-the-scenes tours of their freshly refreshed spa. You’ll also meet teams from across the business – including Lush Buying and their in-house Archivist – ready to share stories, insights, and a few surprises.

There’s also a mini recreation of the original 1995 store, featuring vintage products from day one.

🛁 Free entry, open 10am–6pm at Lush Spa Poole.

This is a rare chance to step behind the scenes of a brand that started right here in Poole and went on to change the beauty world.

🍸 New arrival: The Botanist set to open in Bournemouth

After much anticipation, The Botanist officially opens its doors in Bournemouth on Friday 23 May – and it’s already looking like a must-visit!
Perched on the 4th floor of Bobby’s, it promises beautiful cocktails, vibrant interiors, and a relaxed atmosphere with live music and greenery galore. The menu? Think signature hanging kebabs, indulgent puddings and plenty of crowd-pleasers.
Tables are already filling up, so if you're keen to check it out, head to thebotanist.uk.com/locations/bournemouth and get booking.

🏡 PooleNow Property Pick

Fed up with having to go to Poole Park to work on your backhand? You’re in luck! Check out this 19th century property with it’s own all weather flood lit tennis court. Take a look: 👉 View the property

🎻 Folk Festival hits Poole Quay this June

Poole Quay will come alive on 21 June with the return of the Folk Festival – a full day of music, dancing, and family fun.
Expect live folk music, traditional Morris dancing, maypole workshops, kids’ fairground rides and plenty more to keep all ages entertained.
It’s free to attend and runs throughout the day – so gather the family and enjoy Poole’s maritime vibes with a folk twist!

🎯 Creatives – apply for your chance at £500

Artists and creatives with a BH postcode: there’s still time to apply for the Lucky Draw Fund – a no-strings £500 grant to support your work.
Open to anyone practising an art form (from visual arts to game design), the fund is run by Open School Creative in Boscombe and offers support, mentoring and free access to workshops.
Next deadline is Monday 26 May, and if you apply once, you’re in the draw for the rest of the year.
Find out more and apply here: Apply now

3 Local stories you might have missed

1. NHS staff protest against subsidiary jobs transfer

2. Foray Motor Group launches charity drive to mark 25 years

3. Local restaurant donation supports new garden for Hope residents

Well done to everyone that knew that Brownsea Island was used as a decoy for German bombers during World War II. This issue’s banner picture features the swans at Poole Park, but how much do you know about the origin of the park?

🖼️ Printmakers return for summer pop-up fair

The Poole Printmakers Summer Pop-Up Print Fair is back at GATHER in the Dolphin Centre from 3–10 June.

Over 25 local artists will be showcasing work daily from 9:30am–5pm — all for sale and ready to take home.

You can meet the makers, learn about their studio in Poole Old Town, and try printmaking yourself with drop-in sessions available each day.

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

🎤 Ultimate Festival hits Poole this Weekend

Get ready for a full weekend of music, sunshine and legendary tunes – Ultimate Festivals is bringing two days of tribute magic to Upton Country Park this May Bank Holiday weekend!
The line-up is packed with top tributes to Queen, Oasis, ACDC, Pink Floyd, Bowie, Blondie, MJ, Elton John and more.
Saturday is all about rock anthems, while Sunday celebrates pop icons – with live music from 2pm through to 11pm each day.
Tickets start from £22 for adults and £8 for kids, with family deals available too.
Whether you're a die-hard rocker or pop devotee, it’s a proper festival experience right here in Poole.
Full line-up and tickets: ultimate-festivals.com

Tuesday

Sip & Paint, Rockwater, 6:30pm–9pm
An evening of creativity on the Roof Terrace, with guidance from artist Eleanor Whyton. All materials provided.
Paint your masterpiece

Open Mic Night, Knightlife Brewery, Evening
Step up or just soak it in – open mic night returns to Knightlife Brewery.

Wednesday

{dev.talk}, Bournemouth University, 7pm
The monthly tech meetup for software engineers is back with talks on AI and breaking into the tech industry.
Boot up

Live Music: Zoe Schwarz Bluez Party, Bermuda Triangle Pub, 8:30pm–10:30pm
Blues with swagger and soul – expect original tunes and groovy covers at Ashley Cross’s favourite pub.

The Magic of Gin, Thirteen, Ashley Road
A unique evening of food and flavour as Salcombe Gin helps create Thirteen’s own house blend.
Book your table

Thursday

Stand Up Comedy Night, Bermuda Triangle Pub, 7:30pm–10:30pm
Live comedy hosted by Vik Garofalides with a lineup of laugh-out-loud acts. £5pp.
Book now

Friday

La Mia’s Quiz Night, La Mia’s, Poole Quay, from 7pm
Hosted by Nation Radio’s Gary Parker. Prizes include tapas for two. £2 entry.
Book your table

Goodfellas (4K Restoration), Lighthouse, 7:30pm
Scorsese’s mob masterpiece returns to the big screen for its 35th anniversary.
Buy tickets

Saturday

Trek Poole: May Big Ride Out
Road, gravel and MTB rides led by Trek ambassadors – includes food and drinks before and after.
Join the ride

LUSH 30th Birthday Party, 29 High Street, Poole, 10am–6pm
Bath bomb making, spa tours, team meet-and-greets – all free, no booking required.

South Coast Makers Market Opening, Bobby’s Bournemouth
Check out the new place to go for original local produce. Opening on the lower ground floor of Bobby’s, there will be a range of products and Eats N Beats will be providing the music, so come and support local makers!

Dolphin Marching Band Spring Spectacular, Poole Park, 10am–5pm
Arena displays, kids’ rides, tombolas and more across the bank holiday weekend.

Leon Oxenham (Live Music), Tap & Grape, Broadstone, from 8:30pm
Catch this rising indie folk-rock artist live with catchy, melodic sets.

Henning Wehn: Acid Wehn, Lighthouse, evening
Germany’s self-declared comedy ambassador returns with a climate-focused show.
Book now

Sunday

Dolphin Marching Band Spring Spectacular, Poole Park, 10am–5pm
A second day of fun with family-friendly rides, stalls, and entertainment.

IG Fat Bank Holiday Quiz, Camden, Ashley Cross, 6:30pm
Booze, banter and bragging rights – all part of this monthly quiz night. £2 entry.
Book your space

Mother Ukers (Live Music), Jenkins & Sons, Penn Hill, 7pm–9pm
Ukulele electro swing duo brings the party to Penn Hill this bank holiday weekend.

Monday

Dolphin Marching Band Spring Spectacular, Poole Park, 10am–5pm
One last day of bank holiday fun – plenty to keep the kids busy.

Quiz Night, Bermuda Triangle Pub, 7:30pm–10:30pm
Weekly general knowledge showdown with snacks included. £3pp.

That’s it! See you next week!