Hello Poole!

This week we’re celebrating local success, creativity, and community. From the first Bournemouth International Film Festival wowing audiences, to the new residents card, there’s lots to shout about. We’ve got new bookshops, baking classes, and ways to support struggling households this winter. Plus, share your thoughts on Poole High Street – could family-friendly play areas give the area a boost?

Check out our full events listings to plan your week, from live music and theatre to charity fundraisers and exhibitions.

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

🎬 First Bournemouth International Film Festival hailed a huge success

The inaugural Bournemouth International Film Festival (BIFF) wowed audiences on 3–4 October at the Hilton Bournemouth. Over 300 filmmakers, film fans, and students attended, watching 62 films and participating in 14 workshops.

The black-tie awards night celebrated more than 50 winners, including local talent like Em Robinson for her student film Hand Bag, and Nicole Sarah Fry & Julian Butterworth for The Lace. BAFTA-winning Ian Curtis also scooped multiple awards for Hide.

Festival Director Steve McCarten said: “I am absolutely thrilled by the amazing support and attendance at the first ever Bournemouth International Film Festival! It was more than a festival: it was the beginning of a long-term cultural investment in our region, helping to put a spotlight on the emerging film scene here in Bournemouth, whilst recognising emerging brilliant local, national and international work.”

The event highlighted BCP’s growing film scene and put the spotlight on emerging talent, combining workshops, screenings, and a community-driven festival experience.

It’s fantastic to see such an event launch locally and we look forward to seeing what Steve has planned for next year!

P.S. Stuart Marshall from the Success on the South Coast podcast has recorded an interview with Steve to talk all about the festival, which we'll post a link to as soon as it's available!

🏊 Discount plan for seaside residents gets go-ahead

As previously reported, BCP Council has now approved a Residents Card. It is set to launch by summer 2026, offering perks such as:

• 10% off seafront catering outlets

• 1 hour free parking at selected council car parks

• 1 free swim per month at council leisure centres

The digital and physical cards will be supported by a user-friendly website and a small administrative charge.

🚗 Have your say: Local Transport Plan

Residents are invited to share their views on the draft Local Transport Plan 4 (LTP4), shaping travel across Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole for the next 15 years.

The consultation focuses on improving health, access, public transport, safety, and protecting the environment. It closes at 11.59pm on 12 October.

Give your feedback here

🌿 Nature calls: collaborative strategy launched to protect Dorset’s greenspaces

BCP Council’s Cabinet has given the green light to a new Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) aimed at protecting Dorset’s wildlife and greenspaces for generations to come.

From nightjars to natterjack toads, dozens of species are prioritised to reverse local population decline. A new delivery group will work with communities to create bigger, better, and more connected spaces for nature, covering heathlands, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.

Projects are already underway, including restoring over 37 hectares at Canford Heath nature reserve to improve habitats and reduce wildfire risk.

The strategy, developed alongside Dorset Council and more than 70 organisations, sets out a 10-year vision for nature recovery across Dorset. The final strategy is expected to be published this winter.

📚 New Bookshop Opening in Westbourne Arcade

The Mysterious Bookcase officially opens this weekend on Saturday 11 October.

Ally and Matt, founders, created their signature Blind Date With a Book packages online since 2022. Now they’ve created a physical shop filled with books and the preview pictures and videos that they’ve posted online look fantastic.

The new store is located at 6 Westbourne Arcade. Follow them on Instagram

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🏡 PooleNow Property Pick

A slight change this week, we’re showing you the most expensive rental property in Poole. What do you think you get for £18,000 pcm(!!)? 👉 View the property

🎠Could Poole High Street use a play area?

Progress on Plymouth’s plans to create one of the biggest city centre play areas in the UK made an impact on social media this week, so it got us thinking: could Poole High Street benefit from similar installations?

Those of us that are old enough, fondly remember playing on the wooden animals in the Dolphin Centre, yet now there is nothing similar in the heart of our town. Strategically placed play areas could encourage families, boost footfall, and support new and existing cafés and restaurants with outdoor seating.

❄️ Winter support for struggling households

BCP Council is offering help to households struggling with food, energy, and other essentials through the Household Support Fund (HSF), running until 31 March 2026.

Residents may qualify for household grants, school holiday food vouchers, and practical advice on managing energy costs, delivered by Citizen’s Advice BCP and Ridgewater Energy.

Applications open in two windows:

• 29 Sept – 21 Nov 2025

• 8 Dec – 30 Jan 2026

For more info, visit the Citizen’s Advice HSF webpage or call 0808 278 7939.

3 Local stories you might have missed

1. Early finish for £1.2m Poole sewer upgrade – Bournemouth One

2. Young adults with SEND given chance at Amazon Poole – Bournemouth One

3. Swanage's Mowlem Theatre fundraising £10k to repair leaking roof - BBC News

This week’s header photo is courtesy of Poole Harbour Commissioners and features Poole Power Station. Were you one of the 7,000 people that gathered to watch the chimneys demolished? If so, this week’s trivia question should be easy!

🥖 Baking Classes with Chef Denny from Limoncello Café & Bar

Starting 22 October | Poole Quay

Join Chef Denny for a 12-class baking journey, from simple doughs to artisanal breads and pastries. Limited to 12 spots for an intimate experience. DM to reserve.

⚓ Trafalgar Dinner in aid of Poole Lifeboat Station

Friday 24 October | The Portsmouth Hoy | Pre-dinner drinks 6:30 PM, Dinner 7:30 PM

Enjoy a 4-course meal with live entertainment from The Wareham Whalers and Boathook Bald. Tickets £45 per person.

Raffle prizes include free fish & chips and beer for a year. All proceeds support Poole Lifeboat Station.

🎥 Storytelling for All – ‘Sinai Stories’ film screening and exhibition

Palace Court Theatre, Bournemouth | Saturday 18 October | 11.00–19.00

Celebrate storytelling through felted animations, craft, and textiles in this free event curated by Dr Emma Shercliff.

Highlights include shorts featuring Bedouin stories, an exhibition, workshops, and a panel discussion exploring how textiles carry heritage and identity.

More details

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

Multiple Days

Merley House Wedding & Events Fair, Merley House, Wimborne, Sat 11 – Sun 12 Oct, 11am–3pm
Free entry! Explore this stunning venue, meet local suppliers, and get inspiration for weddings, anniversaries, or parties.

Beneath the Surface – Katie Munro, Mezzanine Gallery, Lighthouse, Thu 2 – Sat 25 Oct, 10am–8pm
A surreal exhibition exploring mental health and well-being through art inspired by the sea.

Blood Brothers, Lighthouse, Tue 7 – Sat 11 Oct
Willy Russell’s classic tale of twins separated at birth, with dramatic and fateful consequences.

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

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

Poole Pirates v Redcar | CUP FINAL, Poole Stadium, 7:30pm
Catch the Poole Pirates in the KO-Cup Final — kids under 11 go free!

Isabels Brasserie Charity Coffee & Cake, 10am–12pm
Enjoy homemade cakes and coffee while supporting Macmillan Cancer; plus a raffle with prizes.

The Portsmouth Hoy Folk Music Session, 8pm
English folk tunes with occasional songs — free drink for performers, all welcome.

LIVE MUSIC 🎸 Totog, Bermuda Triangle Pub, 8:30–10:30pm
Rock out with live music in Ashley Cross this Wednesday evening.

BSO: The Power of Love, Lighthouse, 7:30pm
An orchestral evening blending symphony, opera, and Tagore’s poetry for a lush, immersive performance.

Thursday

Rock the Boat 3 (Unplugged), King Charles Pub, 7pm
Local creatives perform acoustic hits to raise money for Poole Lifeboat — dancing shoes advised!

Live Music – Tim Young, The Bricklayers, 8:30pm
Singer-songwriter session with live guitar tunes.

Skinny Malinkys TACO Thursday, Bermuda Triangle Pub, 5–9pm
Tacos, Mexican lager, margaritas and more — grab them while they last!

Coach Party, The Vault, 39 Poole Hill
Catch this exciting new indie rock band live, fresh from glowing reviews in NME and The Guardian.

Friday

LIVE MUSIC 🎸 Cutting Edge, Bermuda Triangle Pub, 9–11pm
End the week with high-energy rock and live music in Ashley Cross.

The Ultimate Classic Rock Show, Lighthouse, 7:30pm
Over two hours of classic rock hits with light and projection show — sing and dance along!

Sandbanks Brewery, from 6pm
Hunger Zone + craft beer until 10pm.

Saturday

Soul Cellar, Cellar Bar, The Blue Boar, 8pm
A 70s soul club experience with disco, funk, and jazz classics — free entry.

The Alibi, The Goods Yard, Broadstone, 9pm
Live music to kick off your Saturday night.

Coastal Comedy October, Lighthouse, 8pm
Triple bill of stand-up comedy featuring headline act Ben Norris

Sunday

Bake Sauna – Pop-up Harbour Sauna, Hamworthy Park
A wood-fired sauna experience by the harbour with optional cold plunge and swims at high tide.
Take the plunge!

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

Upton House Open Day, Upton Country Park, 12–4:30pm
Free admission to the house, plus guided tours for a small fee — enjoy books, gifts, and local history.

Ticket To Ride Mini Tournament, Entoyment Wargaming and Hobby Centre, 10:30am
Compete in three games of Ticket To Ride and win prizes — fun for board game enthusiasts.

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That’s it! See you next week!