Hello Poole!

Hello Poole!

It’s a packed week of news and events, we’ve got something for everyone.

The results are in from our Residents Card survey, film fans are in for a treat as the Bournemouth International Film Festival arrives this weekend, with Christopher Eccleston and Chris Chibnall among the headline guests. And if you fancy something a little more Bavarian, don’t miss the steins, bratwurst and party vibes at the Bricklayers Oktoberfest this Saturday.

All that plus live music, supercars, markets, a look at a one of Poole’s most successful merchants and more in this week’s PooleNow.

PooleNow is proudly sponsored by Bournemouth One radio station – and right now you can bag half-price vouchers for local restaurants, gyms and more at vouchers.bournemouthone.com

💳 Residents Card Survey – What You Told Us

Last week we asked what benefits you’d like to see on a potential BCP Residents Card. The most popular option was a free hour of parking in town, chosen by 55% of you.

Here’s how the results broke down:

• 🚗 Free hour of parking in town – 55%

• 🏊 One free swim per month – 12%

• 🛍 Discounts at local retailers – 9%

• 👶 Discounted kids holiday clubs – 2%

• 💡 Other suggestions – 3%

• ❌ Don’t want a residents card – 19%

Parking dominated the feedback. One reader told us: “Parking costs are horrendous – even an hour free would make shopping much easier.” Another went further: “Two hours free parking is more realistic. The high cost of parking is restrictive to supporting small independent businesses.”

Not everyone was convinced. Almost one in five said the council shouldn’t bother. “The money would be better spent elsewhere,” said one reader, calling for cleaner streets and safer town centres instead.

Other creative suggestions included free access to Bournemouth Pier, discounts at seafront kiosks, and reduced parking permits for residents.

It’s clear parking is the issue that matters most. We know that a few BCP Councillors are subscribers to PooleNow, so hopefully your suggestions will be passed on!

🎬 Bournemouth International Film Festival Lights Up the Screen

This weekend, 3–4 October, the Hilton Bournemouth plays host to the Bournemouth International Film Festival (BIFF) – and the final lineup looks incredible.

With over 70 films screening across two days, including features, shorts, documentaries and animations, the festival promises a real showcase of international talent alongside local filmmakers.

Special guests include actor Christopher Eccleston – the Ninth Doctor himself – who will open the festival as Patron, and writer Chris Chibnall, creator of Broadchurch and former Doctor Who showrunner, who will be joining for a fireside chat.

Highlights include:

• 🌍 The Hook – a world premiere feature film exploring ambition and addiction in the music industry.

• 🎥 Hide – a short film by BAFTA & Emmy award-winner Ian Curtis.

• 🎓 Student films and a Bournemouth University industry panel.

• 💬 BCP Film Office Lounge with local business talks.

Festival Director Steve McCarten says: “The quality of submissions has been exceptional – we’ve had entries from across the world, and the buzz is huge.”

The festival will close with a black-tie awards ceremony on Saturday evening, celebrating winners across 55 categories.

🎟 Tickets and full programme: bournemouthfilmfest.co.uk

🏢 Dorset Chamber Business Expo Returns

Dorset Chamber’s flagship Business Expo is back on Tuesday 14 October at the Marriott Hotel, Bournemouth and it’s shaping up to be their biggest yet.

Sponsored by SWRAC, the Expo is open to all, not just Chamber members, and promises a lively morning of networking, inspiration and fresh ideas. Expect more than 60 exhibitors from across Dorset showcasing their services, products and expertise.

With doors open from 9am–1pm, it’s a brilliant opportunity to meet like-minded professionals, discover new collaborations and connect with the county’s business community.

And the best part? Entry is free – but you’ll want to book your ticket in advance.
👉 Book your free place here

🌊 Support PooleNow

Are you a business in the local area? Do you want to reach out to a highly engaged local community? Want to support us to keep running our free local newsletter? Get in touch!

🏡 PooleNow Property Pick

How would you like a secluded character home in Branksome Park with an indoor pool complex, sauna and jacuzzi? 👉 View the property

🐟 The Merchant Prince Who Built Poole's Fortune on Salt Cod

As autumn arrives and the harbour breeze turns crisp, it's worth remembering a time when this season marked Poole's most lucrative moment of the year. September and October saw merchant vessels returning from the distant shores of Newfoundland, their holds crammed with salt cod that would make fortunes for the town's traders. And no one mastered this trade quite like Benjamin Lester.

Born in Poole in 1724, Lester would become the most powerful merchant in the entire Newfoundland fishing industry, a man so influential that he effectively controlled a significant portion of the North Atlantic cod trade. His business empire stretched across three continents, operating what historians call the "triangle trade": ships sailed from Poole to Newfoundland with salt and provisions, caught and cured cod through the summer fishing season, then carried their precious cargo to Spain, Portugal, and Italy where salt fish was in constant demand. The vessels returned to Poole laden with wine, fruit, and Mediterranean goods, completing a profitable circuit.

At its peak, Lester's fleet comprised dozens of vessels, and he employed thousands of workers across his operations. His influence in Newfoundland was so extensive that he essentially governed the settlement of Trinity, where he built wharves, warehouses, and even a mansion.

But Lester wasn't simply extracting wealth from distant waters. He ploughed his fortune back into Poole, becoming the town's Member of Parliament and funding significant civic improvements. His elegant townhouse on the Quay – now part of Poole Museum – still stands as testament to the extraordinary wealth generated by those arduous Atlantic voyages.

When he died in 1802, aged 78, Lester left an estate worth hundreds of thousands of pounds – an astronomical fortune for the era.

Today, as you stroll past Poole's Georgian mansions, remember they were built on salt cod, autumn winds, and the calculated risks of men like Benjamin Lester. The Newfoundland trade shaped Poole's golden age, transforming a modest harbour town into one of England's wealthiest ports.

📰 3 Local stories you might have missed

1. In pictures: Bournemouth's Arts by the Sea festival - BBC News

2. BCP Labour vows to block town councils – Bournemouth One

3. How Oliver Bulleid helped shape modern Southern rail - BBC News

🎭 Dick Whittington Panto at Lighthouse

Get ready for magic, mayhem and plenty of laughs – Dick Whittington arrives at Lighthouse this Christmas, running from 11 December to 4 January.

Written and directed by CBeebies’ Chris Jarvis, this homegrown panto promises dazzling sets, costumes and musical numbers. The cast includes Poole-born West End star Bernadette Bangura as Fairy Bowbelles and Chris himself as Dame Dolly Doughnuts.

Joining them are familiar faces from last year’s Sleeping Beauty, including Sarah-Louise Young as King Rat and Isabella Kibble as Alice Fitzwarren, plus promising young actor Kieran Morris in the title role.

Expect slapstick fun, special effects and all the festive sparkle of a classic family panto.

🎟 Book now: lighthousepoole.co.uk | 01202 280000

🍺 Oktoberfest at The Bricklayers

Raise a stein! Oktoberfest comes to The Bricklayers this Saturday, 4 October. Expect German beer, bratwurst, pretzels and a night of Bavarian fun from 3pm until late.

DJ Allan Turner-Ward will bring the party vibes, alongside live music earlier in the week. Dress code? Lederhosen, dirndls or anything with a Bavarian twist!

📍 The Bricklayers, Parr Street, Poole
🎟 Free entry

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

Multiple Days

Local Makers Market with the Craftaholics, Gather, Dolphin Centre, Wed 1 & Thu 2 Oct, 10am–3pm – Unique handmade jewellery, cards, bags, knitwear and more, plus drop-in craft workshops.

Bournemouth International Film Festival, Hilton Bournemouth, Fri 3 & Sat 4 Oct – Over 70 films, workshops, talks and a black-tie awards night.

We Rise Exhibition, Lighthouse Poole
Sat 20 Sept – Sat 1 Nov
A celebration of global majority artists from the south coast, presented by Boscombe Radicle Arts Collective.

Meet Rembrandt: Slow Looking Experience, Kingston Lacy
12 Sept – 16 Nov
Take time with Rembrandt’s Self-portrait in a Feathered Bonnet in an intimate, slow-looking setting.

Tuesday

International Day of Older People, Gather, Dolphin Centre, 9am–3pm
Support and advice stalls focused on social connections.

Live Music Showcase, Tap & Grape, Broadstone, 7:30pm
A showcase of local musicians, free entry.

Bike Night, Poole Quay, from 6pm
It’s the last one of the year! 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!

Wednesday

The Harry Skinner Band, Bermuda Triangle Pub, Ashley Cross, 8:30pm
Live blues and rock.

Thursday

An Evening Without Kate Bush, Lighthouse, 7:45pm
A joyful tribute show celebrating Kate Bush’s music. From £20.

Jake Lambert: The Sunshine Kid, Lighthouse, 8pm
Stand-up comedy from “a joke machine” (The Telegraph). From £18.

Henners Wine Dinner, Hotel du Vin, 7pm
A five-course meal paired with English wines. £79.95.

Skinny Malinkys Taco Thursdays, Bermuda Triangle Pub, 5–9pm
Tacos until they’re gone!

Friday

Macramé Workshop & Breast Health Awareness, Gather, Dolphin Centre, 10am–12pm
Learn macramé and get free breast health advice. Proceeds to UHD NHS charities.

Dead Ringers: 25th Anniversary Tour, Lighthouse, 7:30pm
BBC Radio 4’s legendary satire live on stage.

Pier x Arts by The Sea: Zine-Making Workshop, Bobby’s Bournemouth, 3.30pm
Ever fancied making your own magazine? Join the Pier Journal team at Bobby's for this zine-making workshop as part of the Arts By The Sea Fringe.

Big Nite Out, Bermuda Triangle Pub, 9–11pm
Live party band.

4 Go Mad, Tap & Grape, Broadstone, 8:30pm
Rock and pop covers.

Sandbanks Brewery, from 6pm
Funky Fries food truck + craft beer until 10pm.

Oktoberfest Warm-Up, The Bricklayers, live music
Pre-party atmosphere ahead of Saturday’s main event.

Saturday

Oktoberfest Part 2, Yachtsman Pub Hamworthy, from 11am
Steins, bratwurst BBQ, craft stalls, and live music – all in aid of Forest Holme.

Oktoberfest at The Bricklayers, Parr Street, 3pm–late 
Bavarian beers, bratwurst, DJ and party. Free entry.

S BOMB Vintage Workshop, Dee Way, 7pm
Yellowstone Fancy Dress Party with BBQ, tattoos and country music.

Murder Mystery Cruise, Coastal Cruises, 7pm
Solve a crime while dining aboard Poole Harbour.

Merley House Silent Disco, 7–10pm
Choose your music channel and dance the night away. £10.

Sunday

Supercar Sunday, Lion Works School, 9:30am–3:30pm 
Ride in supercars, raffle, food and family fun.

Fisherman’s Friends, Lighthouse, 7:30pm
The original Cornish buoy band on tour. From £31.35.

Love Actually Wedding Fayre, Lighthouse, 11am–2pm
Free entry wedding showcase.

The Raven Kings, Portsmouth Hoy, 4:30pm
Folk, country and Americana live music.

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

👍 Review

If you love PooleNow - spread the word! Forward this onto a friend and encourage them to subscribe!

“Really useful local newsletter in an easy to read format” - If you have enjoyed reading PooleNow and want to help us grow, you can support us via Buy Me a Coffee
Thanks as ever for reading and supporting local.

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! See you next week!