Hello Poole!

This week’s issue is packed with firsts – from Dorset’s first Vue cinema, to a rare flower blooming at Upton Country Park for the first time in six years and Dorset’s first white-tailed eagle chick in over 200 years. We’ve also got spooky ghost walks in Old Town, school application date changes, and plenty of events for the week ahead.

PLUS - we have a massive competition taking place to celebrate our 6 month birthday! Read the article at the bottom of the email to get all the details!

Let’s get stuck in 👇

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Thanks as ever for reading and supporting local.

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!

🗳 Talbot & Branksome Wood By-election Announced

BCP Council has confirmed a by-election for Talbot and Branksome Wood Ward after Cllr Philip Broadhead stepped down.

The vote takes place on Thursday 11 September with results expected the next day. If you live in the ward, you have until Friday 26 August to register to vote. Remember to bring photo ID to the polling station – passports, driving licences and certain bus passes are accepted, even if expired, as long as you’re recognisable.

More details and how to register 👉 Register to vote | BCP

🌸 Rare Bloom at Upton Country Park

A floral treat awaits at Upton Country Park – the rare Puya alpestris is in flower for the first time since 2019.

Native to the Andes, its turquoise-blue petals and orange stamens make it one of the most striking plants you’ll see in the UK. It’s believed Upton may be the only place in the country where you can see it blooming outdoors.

Open daily from 9am till dusk – don’t miss it!

🎬 Vue Poole Opens This Friday

For those of you that spent your youth at Tower Park’s running around Quasar, followed by a movie at UCI, we’ve got good news and bad news. The bad news is that Quasar is still a gym, the good news is that the cinema is about to re-open!

Poole’s new Vue cinema opens at Tower Park this Friday, 15 August, bringing 10 screens, reclining seats, and the first “Ultra Lux” seating in Dorset – complete with personal wine coolers - it all looks like a serious upgrade from the UCI/Empire/Cineworld days.

More info 👉 myvue.com/poole

🎨 Poole Kids’ Drawing Competition

Poole BID is inviting young artists to show what Poole means to them for a chance to win prizes.

Up to age 5: ToyTown voucher & Kaspa’s Desserts voucher.
Ages 6–10: The Entertainer voucher & tickets to Dinosaur World Live at Lighthouse.

Entry forms are at Truly Scrumptious, Poole Museum shop, ToyTown, and Lighthouse Poole. Competition runs through August.

Full details 👉 discoverpoole.com/summer-fun

🐟 Guildhall Tavern Named One of Dorset’s Best

Poole’s own Guildhall Tavern has been recognised by The Telegraph as one of the Top 20 Restaurants in Dorset.

“The Tavern is a serious fish restaurant that’s been a Poole stalwart for more than a decade. The dining room is elegant and what’s fresh from the sea is treated with respect. Alongside time-honoured treatments of the day’s catch – such as a whole Dover sole, golden and firm on the bone, pan-fried in garlic butter with samphire – are more unusual flavours, such as a mezcal cure for trout and Korean fried oysters.”

Throughout August, diners can enjoy their Wine and Dine offer: two courses from the August Prix Fixe menu plus a 125ml glass of house wine for £29, served Monday–Friday (excluding Tuesdays) from 12pm–3pm. Visit their website for more details.

We’ve also teamed up with Guildhall Tavern for a special competition – see the article at the end of this issue for details.

🏡 PooleNow Property Pick

Now, this house is already sold, so you can’t buy it. Why have we included it? Because it’s an incredible 1970s time capsule that you have to see! There’s a tour video that’s worth watching too. 👉 View the property and step back in time!

🦅 First White-tailed Eagle in Dorset for 200 Years

A pair of white-tailed eagles in Dorset have successfully raised a chick – the first in the county for over two centuries.

The rare “flying barn doors” are part of a south coast reintroduction project, with hopes of establishing breeding pairs in the region.

Keep your eyes on the skies – they’ve been spotted across Dorset.

🏫 Primary School Application Date Change

If your child is starting reception or moving to junior or middle school in September 2026, the application window opens earlier this year – from 1 November 2025 to 15 January 2026.

The change gives parents more time to decide on the right school before applying. Secondary school applications remain unchanged and can be made from 1 September to 31 October 2025. We’ll be doing a special edition of our newsletter soon for parents looking at completing a Secondary school application.

More info 👉 BCP school admissions

⚽ Futsal Fun for Young Footballers

Does your child love football? Dorset Futsal Club is offering specialist sessions to boost skills and confidence, without clashing with existing football commitments.

The club is also launching a youth futsal league and girls-only sessions. Spaces are available for u8s to u14s, with expansion planned for other age groups.

To find out more, email [email protected] or visit dorsetfutsal.com

3 Local stories you might have missed

1. Plans revealed for 1,200-home village near Wimborne in Canford Magna – Bournemouth One

2. New record declared for Dorset Knob throwing contest - BBC News

3. Dorset Innovation Park firm plans major expansion creating one hundred jobs – Bournemouth One

🖼 Open Studio & Print Exhibition

Step inside Poole Printmakers’ working studio from 22–25 August at 5 Bowling Green Alley.

Browse fresh prints in silkscreen, linocut, etching and more. See antique presses in action and try pulling your own print in the courtyard.

Free entry, 10am–4pm (5pm Saturday).

👻 Ghost Walk of Old Poole Town

Join Granny Cousins’ famous ghost walk, starting outside Scaplen’s Court.

Led by Michele O’Brien and joined by “Cockle Kate” (India Murray), the walk is packed with eerie tales, haunted history and a dash of local history.

Runs Wednesdays and Thursdays until the end of September. £12 adults, £6 children.

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

Multiple Days

‘Art Classes For Me’ Summer Exhibition, The Gallery Upstairs at Upton Country Park, Thursday to Sunday, 10am-4:30pm
A showcase of student artwork in a variety of styles.

Purbeck Valley Folk Festival, Purbeck Valley Farm, Corfe, Thursday to Sunday
Award-winning festival with eclectic music and a family-friendly vibe.

We Out Here Festival, Wimborne St Giles, Thursday to Sunday
Four days of world-class music, wellness activities, and family fun.
Find out more

V Dub at the Pub, Wimborne, Friday to Sunday
VW-themed festival with live music, food, and family activities.
Find out more

Tuesday

Bike Night, Poole Quay, from 6pm
See the winner of Bike of the Night, plus live music and entertainment.

The Good Quiz, The Goods Yard
Put on your thinking caps, gather your teammates and take part in the no pen, no paper, NO CHEATING, speed quiz!

Annie & The Caldwells, St. Peter’s Church, 7pm
Live performance in the heart of Poole, hosted by Warm In the Nave.
Book tickets

Wednesday

Saurus Live Band, Bermuda Triangle Pub, Ashley Cross, 8:30pm-10:30pm
Catch this popular live band for an evening of great music.
See details

The Poole Pirates v Oxford Cheetahs, Poole Stadium, 7:30pm
It’s a huge match for the Pirates as they look to book their place in the Cup final in order to defend their treble titles!
Cheer them on

Thursday

Poole Fireworks, Poole Quay, entertainment from 7pm, fireworks at 10pm
Enjoy live music and entertainment before the skies light up with this free summer firework display.

Fireworks Cruise, departs Poole Quay at 8:30pm
Watch the fireworks from the water with this scenic evening cruise around the harbour.
Set sail

Live Music: Gemma Leanne, Jenkins & Sons, Penn Hill, 7pm-9pm
Enjoy an evening of acoustic sounds from Gemma Leanne.

Madalitso Band, Patch, 6:30pm-9:30pm
Malawi’s celebrated duo perform live with film screening and Q&A.

Friday

Weekly Smoke Series, The Goods Yard, Broadstone, 4.00pm
BBQ food from guest grillers

Car Nights, Poole Quay, 6:00pm–9:00pm
This week’s theme: Hot Rods and American cars. Perfect for car enthusiasts and a sunset stroll.

Hugh Budden & The Blue Chords, Bermuda Triangle Pub, Ashley Cross, 9pm-11pm
Blues-infused live music from a local favourite.

Saturday

Summer Sounds on the Quay, from 2pm
Enjoy live music at venues across Poole Quay.
Full schedule

The Scanners, Bermuda Triangle Pub, Ashley Cross, 9pm-11pm
High-energy covers and originals from this local band.

Sandbanks Brewery Open Day, Sandbanks Brewery, 12pm-10:30pm
A day of beer, street food, and live entertainment.

Canford Summer Fair, Canford School, 10am-5pm
Over 100 stalls, live music, and activities in a beautiful setting.

Magna Summer Fair, Magna Care Centre, 2pm-4pm
Family fun with games, stalls, and refreshments.

Mother Uckers, The Yachtsman, Hamworthy, 8:30pm
Live music from this lively local band.

Sunday

Summer Sounds on the Quay, from 1pm
Enjoy live music at venues across Poole Quay.

Canford Summer Fair, Canford School, 10am-5pm
Over 100 stalls, live music, and activities in a beautiful setting.

Monday

Pub Quiz Night – Bermuda Triangle Pub, 7.30–10.30pm
£3 entry includes quiz and bar snacks. Friendly fun to start the week.

🍽 Win a £100 voucher for Guildhall Tavern

We’ve partnered with Poole’s award-winning Guildhall Tavern to give one lucky PooleNow reader the chance to enjoy a fantastic meal at one of Dorset’s best seafood restaurants – recently named in The Telegraph’s Top 20 Restaurants in Dorset.

If you’re already a PooleNow subscriber, you’re in with a shot – simply head to the post below and follow the steps to enter.

To be in the running, you’ll need to:
❤️ Like the post
✅ Follow @PooleNow on Instagram or Facebook
✅ Follow @guildhalltavern on Instagram or Facebook
👥 Tag friends you’d love to share a meal with in the comments

The competition closes Sunday 31st August and the winner will be chosen at random shortly after.

Good luck – and don’t forget, all the entry details are in the post below!

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.

That’s it! I’ll see you at UCI Vue!