Hello Poole!

It’s hard to believe we’ve reached Issue 40 already, and what a packed edition it is. This week, to mark Armistice Day, we’ve looked into the fascinating story of Poole’s secret World War I airship station. We’ve also got the launch of Christmas in Poole and Bournemouth, details of exhibitions at Poole Museum, business events, festive craft workshops from Diverse Abilities and all the best events from across Poole taking place this week.

So grab a tea and enjoy reading about the wonderful place that we live.

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!

🎄 Christmas Magic in Poole and Bournemouth

The festive season is almost here, and Poole and Bournemouth are both putting on events to celebrate.

Christmas in Poole launches Saturday 22 November, 4–6:20pm, with Santa’s marching band, choirs, a fire show, and a spectacular light trail. Enjoy Christmas shopping across independent and high-street stores, join the window display competition to win £100, and catch Choirs at Christmas performing every Saturday.

Over in Bournemouth, the magic returns with the Christmas Market, an all new Christmas Tree Wonderland, and Skate Bournemouth Ice Rink, all opening 13 November. Wander through festive chalets, glide across the ice, explore Santa’s Workshop, and relax at the Alpine Lodge Bar.

🖼️ Un/Common People & Sound of the Sea – Poole Museum Exhibitions

Poole Museum’s reopening has been a huge success and there are two standout exhibitions that are capturing imaginations.

Un/Common People: Folk Culture in Wessex celebrates the creativity, stories, and rituals that make up the region’s rich folk heritage. Expect over 100 curious and beautiful objects, from sweetheart pin cushions to a ship made entirely of straw.

Meanwhile, Sound of the Sea, created by the acclaimed Marpi Studio, transforms visitors into part of the artwork. Move and watch as digital sea creatures respond to your gestures in a stunning fusion of light, sound, and motion — a truly global project making its UK debut here in Poole.

⚓ The Poole Maritime Trust – Preserving Our Seafaring Heritage

For decades, the Poole Maritime Trust has been quietly chronicling the fascinating story of our harbour and coastline.

Based above Canford Cliffs Library, the Trust holds a remarkable archive of over 6,000 photographs, 3,000 books, and hundreds of artefacts and ship models.

Members can enjoy winter talks at the Royal Motor Yacht Club, covering everything from yacht design and wildlife photography to shipbuilding and maritime archaeology.

Visitors are welcome on Thursday mornings (10am–12pm) for coffee and a browse.

Discover more at www.poolemaritimetrust.org

🍷 Celebrate Beaujolais Nouveau with Poole-Cherbourg Twinning Association

Join the Poole-Cherbourg Twinning Association for their annual Beaujolais Nouveau Celebration, taking place at the Poole Ferry Terminal Café on Thursday 20 November, 6pm–7:30pm.

Tickets are £5 and include a glass of this year’s wine. The evening raises funds for the Association’s 50th anniversary and features a raffle in aid of Alzheimer’s Society.

Celebrate French tradition, meet new friends, and enjoy a relaxed evening of conversation and community.

Find out more at pooletwinning.org

🤝 Founders Evening with Warren Munson

📅 26 November 2025 | ⌚ 6pm–7:30pm | 📍 Digital Skills Hub, Boscombe

Join Dorset’s own Warren Munson, founder of Evolve Advisory and previously Inspire, as he shares his journey of building, selling, and reinventing a successful business.

Known for his Evolve to Succeed podcast and book The Entrepreneur’s Journey, Warren brings honest insights into the highs and lows of entrepreneurship — from resilience and reinvention to the human side of leadership.

Expect a practical, inspiring talk followed by open discussion and networking with local founders and startups.

♻️ Recycle Your Old Business Tech

Local charity Diverse Abilities has teamed up with Donate IT to turn unwanted technology into something that truly makes a difference.

Businesses and individuals can donate old laptops, tablets, and phones — 50% of the value goes directly to Diverse Abilities, while refurbished devices are gifted to people in need.

Contact Nick Mahony at Diverse Abilities to get involved.

🏡 PooleNow Property Pick

Would you like to rent a house with Poole Harbour views and a swimming pool that runs the entire length of the house? Check it out! 👉 View the property

The Silent Guardians: Poole's Secret Airship Station 

When you walk through Upton Country Park today, surrounded by ancient trees and sweeping lawns, it's hard to imagine that just over a century ago, this peaceful spot was home to one of Britain's most unusual weapons against the German U-boat menace. 

Hidden in the woodland just west of Upton House, a Royal Naval airship station quietly operated throughout 1918, launching hydrogen-filled blimps on gruelling patrols across the English Channel. It's a story that few people know – but one that deserves to be remembered this Armistice Day. 

A Desperate Time 

By 1917, Britain was in serious trouble. German U-boats were sinking merchant ships at an alarming rate, threatening to starve the nation into submission. The Royal Navy needed eyes in the sky – something that could hover above the grey waters of the Channel for hours on end, scanning for periscopes and protecting vital convoys. 

The answer was the Sea Scout Zero, or SSZ – a small, non-rigid airship that could be built quickly and cheaply. These weren't the massive rigid airships like the famous Zeppelins. The SSZs were much simpler: a 143-foot gas-filled envelope with a boat-shaped gondola slung underneath, powered by a single 75-horsepower Rolls-Royce Hawk engine. 

Upton Goes to War 

The Royal Naval Airship Station at Upton was commissioned in spring 1918 as part of a network of coastal airship bases. The site, located on the Llewellin Estate, was chosen for its proximity to the central English Channel patrol routes and good rail connections for supplies. 

Mooring positions were cut into the wooded areas, and accommodation was a mixture of billets and canvas tents. Two SSZ airships were typically based at Upton, operating as a satellite station to the larger base at Polegate in Sussex. 

Inside each airship's cramped gondola sat three crew members: a wireless operator in the nose who also manned a machine gun, a pilot in the centre, and a mechanic at the back by the clattering engine. They carried two small bombs and enough fuel for extended patrols. 

Life in the Sky 

The reality of airship patrol duty was far from glamorous. The average patrol lasted eight hours, but crews sometimes flew for much longer. One SSZ airship, number 39, set an astonishing record in the summer of 1918: 50 hours and 55 minutes in the air without landing. 

Imagine spending two full days and nights suspended beneath a gas-filled balloon, scanning the grey waters below for the telltale wake of a periscope. The gondola was open to the elements, so crews endured freezing wind and rain. The engine roared constantly just behind them, filling the air with noise and petrol fumes. After landing, crew members often had to be carried from their craft. 

Despite the discomfort, these patrols were vital. While U-boats weren't easy to find, the mere presence of airships overhead had a powerful deterrent effect. Submarine commanders knew that if they surfaced, they risked being spotted and attacked. 

The End of an Era 

When the Armistice was signed at 11am on 11 November 1918, the news travelled swiftly to airship stations across the country. Patrols ended once U-boat commanders at sea had been informed of the ceasefire. 

The war-weary airships had served their purpose. Worn out from months of constant use, they were quickly scrapped. Upton station was decommissioned in December 1918, just months after it had been commissioned.

Today, almost nothing remains of the airship station at Upton. No plaques mark the spot, no memorials commemorate the crews who flew from here. Our research has been unable to pinpoint its exact location, with Dorset Heritage Explorer suggesting Upton Park Farm as the location and the UK Airfields Guide pinpointing the field next to Longmeadow Lane and the Upton Gateway Roundabout. (If you have any more detailed knowledge of the location, please let us know!)

Remembering the Silent Guardians 

This Armistice Day, as we remember those who served, it's worth reflecting on these lesser-known stories. Somewhere in those same woods today, dog walkers and families enjoy the beauty of Upton Country Park, unaware they're walking in the footsteps of the brave young men who once prepared their airships for patrol – volunteers, mostly from the Royal Navy, who spent freezing hours aloft protecting our shores. 

The airships are long gone, but their story deserves to be told. They were Britain's silent guardians of the sky, and Poole played its part in that extraordinary chapter of history. 

Find out more: Upton Country Park hosts regular historical talks and events throughout the year. The park is open daily with free entry. See the events section to book a tour taking place this Sunday.

3 Local stories you might have missed

1. Council tax rise ‘very likely’ says leader – Bournemouth One

2. WW1 letter at Dorset museum reveals courage of fallen tank gunner - BBC News

3. Consortium welcomes Sandbanks toll changes – Bournemouth One

🌿 Diverse Abilities Christmas Wreath Workshops

Get festive and creative this December with Diverse Abilities, Dorset’s disability charity, as they host two Christmas wreath-making workshops on Wednesday 3 December (6–9pm).

Hosted by the talented Academy of Floristry, the Christmas Wreath Workshop (£45) includes all materials, expert guidance, and festive refreshments.

Prefer something a little different? Try the Alternative Wreath Workshop (£30) and create your own unique design from baubles, flowers, or trinkets. Perfect for beginners and craft lovers alike.

Spaces are limited, so book early:
🔗 diverseabilities.org.uk/daevents/christmas-wreath-workshop
🔗 diverseabilities.org.uk/daevents/alternative-wreath-workshop

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

Multiple Days

Bovington Tank Museum Christmas Fair, 15–16 November, 10am–4pm
Step into the festive season surrounded by military history! Over 100 stalls selling gifts, crafts, and local produce, plus carols, mulled wine and mince pies.

Jane Austen’s Emma, Lighthouse Poole, 11–15 November
A fresh, witty new adaptation of Austen’s classic comedy of manners. Expect sharp humour, romance and charm from this acclaimed touring production.
Book tickets

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. Last chance before the exhibition closes for Christmas and returns next year.

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

Charity Coffee Morning, Isabel’s Brasserie, 10am–12pm
Enjoy homemade cake and coffee while raising funds for local charities in this relaxed morning get-together.

Pier Presents: Night Market, Boscombe Pier, 5–9pm
Street food, craft stalls, live music and sunset sea views — a vibrant community market under the pier lights. Perfect for a midweek wander.
Find out more

Harry Skinner’s Acoustic Marmalade, The Bermuda Triangle, 8:30–10:30pm
Blues, soul and acoustic favourites from one of Poole’s finest musicians. Great atmosphere and great tunes guaranteed.

Thursday

Skinny Malinkys TACO Thursday, The Bermuda Triangle, from 5pm
Two tacos for £10, plus live acoustic sessions and cocktail deals — the perfect recipe for a Thursday night.

The Acoustic Connection Showcase, Delfino Lounge, 6:30pm
A cosy evening of local talent and unplugged sets — discover your next favourite local act over dinner and drinks.

Chartreuse – Bless You & Be Well Tour, St Peter’s Church, 7pm
Haunting vocals and immersive soundscapes from rising UK alt-pop band Chartreuse, performing in the stunning setting of St Peter’s.
Tickets available here

Robert Louis Stevenson’s Birthday 175th Birthday Party, Skerryvore Gardens, from 7pm

Readings, poetry and performances from Robert Louis Stevenson experts!

Full details

Friday

The Bermuda Triangle presents The Cross, St Peter’s Church, 6pm
A one-night-only collaboration of electronic music, visuals and live performance inside one of Bournemouth’s most atmospheric venues.
Find tickets

Jingle Jams at Slug & Lettuce, Bournemouth, from 8pm
Ella Faith performs live festive pop and soul classics: cocktails, dancing, and good vibes all night.

Stompin’ Dave Duo, The Portsmouth Hoy, Poole Quay, 9pm
Foot-tapping blues, boogie and banjo from the unstoppable Stompin’ Dave. A must-see for live music lovers.

Saturday

Westover Gardens Christmas Market, Bournemouth, 1–7pm
Chalet stalls, local crafts, food and mulled wine in the heart of town — festive shopping made fun.
Event details

The Amy Winehouse Band – Live in Concert, Lighthouse Poole, 7:30pm
Experience the songs and stories of Amy Winehouse, performed by her original band and musical director Dale Davis.
Book tickets

Stevie Martin: Clout, Lighthouse Poole, 8pm
Smart, funny and brilliantly chaotic — the debut hour from writer-comedian Stevie Martin.

PV Live, The King Charles Pub, 9pm
Rock and pop covers with serious energy — live and loud at one of Poole’s best local venues.

R•MCL presents Origin, St James’ Church, Poole, 7:30pm
A one-of-a-kind live music and light show from the award-winning collective R•MCL — immersive, experimental and unforgettable.
Book tickets

James Hunter Acoustic, Jenkins & Sons, 7pm
Soulful live set from James Hunter, alongside craft beers and great food.

Life in the Past Lane, The Goods Yard, 9pm
A night of retro tunes and vintage cocktails in Broadstone’s liveliest pub.

Tannersbrook, Honky Tonk Collective, 9pm
Classic rock and blues hits with a modern edge — always a great night at Honky Tonk.

Low-Tide at The Tandy, Sandbanks, from 9pm
Balearic beats and 2-for-1 cocktails by the beach — laid-back vibes till late.

Sunday

Upton House Guided Tour, Upton Country Park, 10am
Step back in time and explore the elegant Georgian house and its hidden stories. Tours led by local heritage guides.
Book and explore

Westover Gardens Christmas Market continues, Bournemouth, 1–7pm
If you missed it on Saturday, here’s your second chance: crafts, food and festive cheer.

Rockwater Quiz Night, Branksome, from 6:30pm
Big quiz energy with stunning sea views — grab your team and test your knowledge.

Monday

Rockwater Sip & Paint, Branksome, 6:30–9pm
Unwind with paint, prosecco and sea views in this relaxed creative evening. All materials included.
Book

Quiz Night, Bermuda Triangle, 7.30pm
£3 entry including bar snacks – book your team table early!

Thank you to everyone that replied last week to let us know we got a date wrong on the bonfire night article. Sorry! Please keep on emailing and let us know when we get things wrong and what we get right!

“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!