Hello Poole!

There’s a touch of nostalgia in the air this week and plenty to look forward to. This week read about:

• Wooden animals return!

• Skatepark Plans

• Inspiration for entrepreneurs

• Inspiration for writers

• Purbeck Film Festival

And as always, there’s plenty happening locally, with live music, theatre, ghost hunts, and great food all over town. Whether you’re catching Paul Merton’s Improv Show, joining The Big Ride Out, or just relaxing with live tunes on the Quay, it’s shaping up to be a brilliant week around Poole.

Enjoy!

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

🦛🐋🐢 Wooden Animals Return to Poole

Last week, we reminisced about the wooden animals that once delighted children (me!) in the Dolphin Centre, and now they’re back!

Three giant wooden sculptures, a mahogany hippo, whale and turtle, have come out of hibernation to go on display once again.
Created in 1969 by artist Peter Hand, these play sculptures were loved by generations of Poole families before being taken down in 1997.

After careful preservation during Poole Museum’s £10 million redevelopment, the hippo has now been dramatically lifted through a third-floor window into the new museum, while the turtle and whale are welcoming visitors at Lighthouse Poole.

Their return marks a milestone in the countdown to Poole Museum’s grand reopening and are an important reminder of how important places, artwork and experiences create vital touchstones across the generations in our community.

Do you have a picture of your head sticking out of the hippos mouth? Send it in, we’d love to see it!

If you haven’t yet given feedback on our suggestion of revitalising areas of the high street by embedding new play areas in them, please do so below! We’ll summarise all of your feedback and suggestions next week!

🛹 Have Your Say: Baiter Park Skatepark

Community questionnaire now open until 15 November

BCP Council is working with local riders to design an exciting new skatepark to replace the very tired one at Baiter Park and they want public input!

A first concept design has already been shaped by the local skate community, and now residents are invited to share feedback and ideas to help finalise the plan.

While the site’s layout means a bowl isn’t feasible, there’s still plenty of scope for creative, modern features that will make the park a local favourite once again.

Take a few minutes to complete the online survey and help create a park that truly reflects the community.

🗓️ Have your say by 15 November 2025
👉 Fill in the short survey now to help shape the future of Baiter.

🎬 Purbeck Film Festival Returns

17 October – 2 November | Across Dorset

One of the UK’s longest-running rural film festivals is back, with over 90 films, talks and Q&As at more than 30 venues across Dorset.

This year’s festival welcomes Sir Sam Mendes as patron, alongside appearances from the Fox family, director Dan Pringle, and War Paint director Margy Kinmonth.

Highlights include screenings at Corfe Castle, Durlston Castle, Lighthouse Poole and the Russell-Cotes Museum, plus the popular Purbeck Short Film Competition to close the festival.

🎟️ Runs: 17 Oct – 2 Nov
📍 Venues: Across Purbeck & Dorset
Full listings at purbeckfilm.com

🧩 Start-Up Funding, Made Simple

Free workshop | Bournemouth University | 21 October, 5:30–8pm

Funding your start-up doesn’t have to be scary — and this free workshop will show you how.
Start-Up Funding, Made Simple is a dynamic panel event designed for aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage business owners who want to understand their options and build confidence when it comes to raising finance.

Expect real-world insights, expert advice and the chance to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs, investors and mentors who can help shape your next move.

📍 Location: Bournemouth University, Talbot Campus
🕠 Date & Time: 21 October, 5:30–8pm
🎟️ Free – Register now to secure your place.

🌟 The Power of You: Align Within, Amplify Outward

Values-led business workshop | Patch, Bournemouth | 19 November, 9:30am–1pm

Economic uncertainty and shifting roles are leaving many business owners wondering how to stay true to their values — and stay connected to their audience.
The Power of You is a half-day, values-led workshop designed to help you realign, reflect and take action.

Delivered by Nick Whitnell, a leadership coach helping you explore your inner foundations, and Mark Masters, founder of You Are The Media, who shows you how to amplify your authentic voice, this workshop brings together personal clarity and external confidence.

Spaces are limited to just 25 business owners within BCP postcodes, funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

📍 Location: Patch Bournemouth (in Bobby’s)
🗓️ Date: 19 November, 9:30am–1pm
🎟️ Free, limited places — register early!

🏫 Courthill Infant School Look for Sponsorship

The Courthill Infant School PTA are looking for a raffle ticket sponsor for their annual Christmas Fair. If you own a small business and would like the opportunity to put your logo on over 7,000 tickets then get in touch.

🌊 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

“A rare Art Deco gem in the heart of Broadstone” - do the virtual tour and zoom in on the light switches and door handles, it’s worth it! 👉 View the property

🚲 Free Bikeability Courses This Half Term

Book now for October sessions

Bookings are now open for October half-term Bikeability courses — helping children build confidence and learn essential cycling skills for the road.

• Learn to Ride: ages 4+

• Level 1 & 2: ages 9+

• Level 3: ages 11+

These courses are free for now, but spaces fill up quickly — so get your place booked soon.
📧 Email: [email protected]

3 Local stories you might have missed

1. Couple's 'absolute dream' to open The Mysterious Bookcase in Bournemouth - BBC News - BBC have been reading our newsletter again!

2. Bournemouth University ranked among world’s best – Bournemouth One

3. Dorset Council extends plan consultations – Bournemouth One

💕 The Romance Writing Festival

Saturday 18 October | Royal Bath Hotel, Bournemouth

A must for any aspiring romance writer! Join bestselling authors, editors and literary agents for a full day of panels, workshops, networking and seaside inspiration.

Expect 10 panels, yoga on the beach, afternoon tea with editors, literary walks, book launches, and goody bags — all celebrating the art of writing love stories.

📅 Date: 18 October
📍 Location: Royal Bath Hotel, Bournemouth
🎟️ Tickets: romancewritingfestival.co.uk

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

Multiple Days

‘Poole’ Autumn Exhibition, The Gallery Upstairs, Upton Country Park, Fri 17 Oct – Mon 3 Nov, 10am–4:30pm
Local artists from Poole & East Dorset Art Society share their visions of what Poole means to them. Free admission.

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

Poole Pirates v Glasgow Tigers | GRAND FINAL, Poole Stadium, 7:30pm
The Poole Pirates host the Glasgow Tigers in the 1st leg at Wimborne Road — kids under 11 go free!

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

Night at the Honky Tonk, Honky Tonk Collective, 7pm
Country music, hot food, and even a mechanical bull — all for a great cause!

Yippee Ki Yay, Lighthouse Poole, 7:45pm
A hilarious parody of Die Hard performed by award-winning writer Richard Marsh.

The Harry Skinner Band, The Bermuda Triangle, 8.30pm
Live music to get rid of any mid-week blues!

Thursday

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

Evening with Fred Dinenage, Isabel’s Brasserie, from 6:30pm
A rare dinner event with the legendary broadcaster and Kray twins biographer, limited tickets remain!

Happy Hour & Live Music with Aaron O’Shea, The Bricklayers, 5–11pm
Enjoy great drinks deals and live tunes to kick off your weekend early.

Jenny Éclair: Jokes, Jokes, Jokes Live!, Lighthouse Poole, 7:30pm
Hilarious new autobiographical show from the comedy icon.

Julius Caesar, Lighthouse Poole, 8pm
A powerful take on Shakespeare’s political thriller.

Friday

Merrang Live, The Bricklayers, from 12pm; music from 9pm
Classic comfort food and live rock to start the weekend.

Paul Merton & Suki Webster’s Improv Show, Lighthouse Poole, 7:45pm
Quick-witted, hilarious unscripted comedy from two improv legends.

Ghost Hunt, Merley House, from 8pm
Step inside the eerie history of Merley House with a night of paranormal investigation.

The Rheumatics Live, King Charles Inn, 9pm
Raw punk energy and classic anthems — dance your socks off!

Red Rooster Band, The Portsmouth Hoy, Poole Quay, 9pm
Rock blues to heavy rock from a crowd-favourite local band.

Saturday

Big Ride Out October, Trek Bicycle Poole, 10am
Join friendly road, gravel, and MTB rides. Free entry, helmet required.

Romance Writing Festival, Royal Bath Hotel, Bournemouth, all day
Workshops, talks and seaside inspiration for writers of love stories.

BSO: It’s a Living Thing (The Music of ELO), Lighthouse Poole, 7:30pm
A symphonic celebration of Jeff Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra.

Simon & Oscar (Ocean Colour Scene), Lighthouse Poole, 7:45pm
Intimate acoustic performance of OCS favourites.

LOW-TIDE at The Tandy, Sandbanks, from 9pm
Balearic beats, beach vibes, and 2-for-1 cocktails from 9–11pm.

The Alibi, King Charles Pub, 9pm
Get ready to dance — live covers and great Saturday night energy.

Sunday

Murphy’s Lore Trio, The Portsmouth Hoy, from 12pm
Enjoy lunch on the quay and stay for the music.

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

“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!