Hello Poole!

This week, we’re celebrating Poole’s past while looking to the future. St Mary’s Maternity Unit is saying a final farewell, and there’s a special event to mark its place in the town’s history. Meanwhile, The Great Tail Trail officially launches this week, filling the area with stunning mermaid sculptures. Plus, we’ve got the scoop on a brand-new café and bar, the launch of the Town App to reward local shopping, and the fascinating story of Sandbanks’ role in radio history. And of course, we’ve got all the best events happening in Poole this week. Let’s dive in!

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Farewell to St Mary’s: A Celebration of Poole’s Maternity Hospital

After more than 60 years of bringing new life into the world, St Mary’s Maternity Unit in Poole is closing its doors for the final time. To mark the occasion, University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) is inviting local families to a special farewell event on Saturday 5 April, from 10am to 1pm.

Since opening in 1961, St Mary’s has played a vital role in the community, welcoming an estimated 250,000 babies and providing care for generations of families. This event is an opportunity to celebrate the history of the unit, reminisce with staff past and present, and take a last look inside the much-loved facility. Visitors will have access to areas including the Antenatal Unit, Haven Birthing Suite, and Labour Ward, with refreshments available on the day. No booking is required, though guests are encouraged to be mindful of limited parking.

Kerry Taylor, UHD’s Head of Midwifery and Neonatal Services, said:

A New Chapter for Maternity Services

While St Mary’s Maternity Unit will soon be part of Poole’s history, the future of maternity care in Dorset is already taking shape. The brand-new £91m BEACH Building at Royal Bournemouth Hospital is now open, welcoming its first expectant mothers. The modern facility will also house emergency gynaecology and early pregnancy services, offering state-of-the-art care in a purpose-built environment.

The move is part of a major reorganisation of maternity and emergency services across Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole, ensuring high-quality healthcare for future generations.

For many, St Mary’s holds precious memories, and this farewell event is a chance to reflect on its incredible legacy before embracing the exciting future of maternity care in Dorset.

The Great Tail Trail Makes a Splash in Poole!

Get ready for a fin-tastic adventure—The Great Tail Trail launches this Friday, 5 April, bringing a unique mermaid tail sculpture trail to Poole, Bournemouth, and Christchurch!

Featuring 45 giant mermaid tails and 43 Tiny Tails, this free, family-friendly art trail is a chance to explore our stunning coastline, parks, and landmarks while discovering incredible artwork by local and international artists. Expect everything from stained-glass mermaids and pirate designs to sparkling gemstones and Dorset-inspired scenes.

But it’s not just about the art—The Great Tail Trail supports Julia’s House, a local children’s hospice providing vital care for children with life-limiting conditions. Businesses across the area have helped bring the trail to life, and every visit helps raise awareness and funds for this amazing cause.

Don’t miss the Tiny Tails!
Local schools and youth groups have created their own mini-mermaid sculptures, which you can find displayed in libraries, BH Live leisure centres, and Julia’s House charity shops.

Make a splash with the app!
Download The Great Tail Trail app to track your progress, collect sculptures, vote for your favourite, and even unlock rewards!

Final Farewell Weekend & Auction
Before the tails swim away, see them all together at the Farewell Weekend (14-15 June, Bournemouth International Centre), followed by a Grand Auction (20 June, The Italian Villa, Compton Acres) to raise funds for Julia’s House.

So, grab your map, explore the trail, and celebrate this amazing community event while supporting a fantastic local charity! 🧜‍♀️✨

Find out more at Julia’s House.

🏡 PooleNow Property Pick

Last week we debuted a feature on showing a house for sale in the local area. We asked for your opinion on whether to keep the feature, however the results have been split 50-50! So we’re going to give it another go, vote below if you haven’t already.

Does this house cost more than the GDP of a small country? Yes. Would we prefer a period property with period features? Also yes. Would we expect real grass at this price? Of course. But if we were massive Beatles fans and just won the lottery, would we pay for these views, the indoor pool, and a private jetty straight onto Poole Harbour? Absolutely. With six luxurious bedrooms, a designer kitchen, a gym, sauna, cinema, and some of the most jaw-dropping panoramas in Sandbanks, it’s a serious contender for dream home status. Take a look—it’s a lot more fun than doom-scrolling.

Check it out for yourself 👉 View the listing

Limoncello Bar Café: A Taste of Napoli Comes to Poole

Poole’s High Street has a delicious new addition – Limoncello Bar Café, bringing the authentic flavours of Naples to the heart of town.

Located just off the Quay, this family-run café and bar serves up artisan pastries, savoury Italian delights, and rich Borbone coffee. But it’s not just about the food – their drinks menu features a carefully curated selection of cocktails, aperitifs, and their signature Limoncello Spritz.

At the heart of Limoncello is a passion for traditional Napolitan rosticceria and patisserie, from golden arancini to decadent homemade desserts. Whether you're popping in for a morning espresso, a leisurely afternoon tea with an Italian twist, or an evening aperitivo, this welcoming spot offers a true taste of Italy in Poole.

Find them at 7 High Street, Poole, BH15 1AB or visit limoncellopoole.co.uk for more details.

Discover Food in Poole: Exclusive Offers and Prizes This April

Poole’s food scene is taking centre stage this April with Discover Food in Poole – a month-long celebration of the town’s incredible dining spots. Whether you're a devoted foodie or just looking for a great meal, this campaign promises exclusive dining deals, special competitions, and the chance to experience Poole’s diverse culinary offerings.

Throughout the month, Poole BID is running three competitions per week on Facebook, giving you the chance to win fantastic prizes – from afternoon tea and sweet treats to indulgent fine dining experiences.

Local restaurants and cafés are also offering exclusive discounts and special menu items, so there’s never been a better time to explore Poole’s food scene.

Want to win? Follow Poole BID on Facebook and @Poole_BID on Instagram for your chance to enter.

For full details on participating venues and special offers, visit discoverpoole.com/food.

Town App Launches: Shop Local, Earn Rewards, Build Community

Back in Issue No.1, we spoke to Josh Williams about his ambitious plan to launch Town, a loyalty rewards app designed to support local businesses in Poole. Now, that vision has become a reality – Town is live!

The app makes shopping locally more rewarding than ever, offering shoppers the chance to earn "Town Cash" whenever they spend at participating independent businesses. Simply scan your Town Pass QR code in-store, collect rewards, and help keep money flowing through Poole’s local economy.

Josh and his team hope Town will transform the way people shop, making it easier and more rewarding to support independent retailers while strengthening the community and reducing our carbon footprint.

So, if you want to help protect Poole’s high streets, discover amazing local businesses, and earn rewards for shopping small, sign up for Town and start making a difference today!

Find out more at jointown.co.uk

The Haven Hotel: A Cornerstone in Radio's Development

From its serene position on the Sandbanks peninsula, the Haven Hotel in Poole played a pivotal role in one of humanity's most transformative innovations: radio. For a quarter of a century, this unassuming seaside establishment served as the laboratory and home of Guglielmo Marconi, the father of radio communication.

After initial trials across the Bristol Channel and at the Royal Needles Hotel on the Isle of Wight, Marconi sought a more suitable location for his ambitious experiments. In September 1898, he relocated his operations to the remote yet spacious Haven Hotel. The building, relatively new having replaced the North Haven Inn just eleven years earlier, offered the isolation and tranquillity necessary for his ground-breaking work.

Three masts reaching up to 110 feet in height were erected on the shore beside the hotel, and a large downstairs room was transformed into Marconi's laboratory. From this modest setting, Marconi's Wireless Telegraph and Signal Company conducted experiments that would ultimately revolutionise global communications.

Life at the Haven was comfortable for Marconi, who lived there with his mother and brother for eight years. The hotel was known for its excellent food and wine. Evenings often concluded with impromptu musical performances, with Marconi at the piano accompanied by his brother Alfonso on violin. Marconi also developed a friendship with the wealthy van Raalte family of nearby Brownsea Island, a connection that deepened when he married Beatrice O'Brien, the best friend of the van Raaltes' daughter.

During Marconi's tenure at the Haven, his wireless operators were increasingly employed on ships, providing crucial Morse code communications. This technology proved vital during the Titanic disaster of 1912, when Marconi operators sent distress signals that helped coordinate rescue efforts.

Marconi's work frequently took him onto the waters of Poole Harbour aboard his yacht Elettra, which served as a floating laboratory. From this vessel, he received signals transmitted from the Marconi company wireless station in Dorchester, conducting tests in long-range communications that would eventually connect continents.

Today, the Haven Hotel stands as a testament to human ingenuity and the remarkable fact that in this quiet corner of Dorset, experiments were conducted that would ultimately connect the entire world through invisible waves. The hotel's lounge, named in Marconi's honour, serves as a reminder of the extraordinary history that unfolded within its walls, when a visionary Italian inventor transformed how humanity communicates.

Passion + Purpose: The Story of Oly Rush

Poole’s very own Oly Rush, known as the ‘Human Fish,’ is making waves once again – this time on the big screen. On Thursday, April 10, Success on the South Coast presents its debut live event, PASSION + PURPOSE, featuring a special screening of The Grand Swim, a documentary chronicling Oly’s record-breaking attempt to swim around Grand Cayman in one continuous effort.

Oly, a former plasterer, has dedicated his life to raising awareness of plastic pollution, swapping trowels for tides in a mission to protect the planet. Following the screening, audiences will have the chance to take part in a live Q&A with Oly himself, diving deeper into his journey, challenges, and what’s next for his charity, Project Planet Earth.

📍 Where? PATCH (1st floor of Bobby’s, Bournemouth)
🕕 When? Thursday, April 10 – Doors open at 6pm, screening at 7pm, Q&A at 8:30pm
🎟️ Tickets: Available here
🌍 All proceeds support Project Planet Earth. Learn more at projectplanet.earth.

Don’t miss this inspiring evening of adventure, sustainability, and purpose!

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

Tuesday

Bike Night Returns!, Poole Quay
Displays from Crescent Motorcycles & Offshore Performance, plus live music from Innocent Bystander.
More details

Wednesday

Craftaholics Makers Market, Gather, The Dolphin, 10:00am - 3:00pm
Handmade crafts, jewellery, artwork & more.
More details

Zoe Schwarz Bluez Party, The Bermuda Triangle Pub, 8:30pm - 10:30pm
Funky, rocking blues with Zoe Schwarz and her band.
More details

Thursday

Poole Jobs Fair, Lighthouse Poole, 10:30am - 2:30pm
A free event featuring 30+ exhibitors with job opportunities and apprenticeships.
More details

Ben Fogle: WILD, Lighthouse Poole, 7:30pm
An inspiring theatre show where Ben Fogle shares tales of adventure and self-discovery. From £34.65.
Get tickets

An Evening with Pip Hare, Lighthouse Poole, 7:30pm
Experience the highs and lows of Pip Hare’s global ocean race in this special live talk. From £18.70.
Get tickets

Martin Rice (Live Music), Jenkins & Sons, Penn Hill, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
2-for-1 Cocktails from 4pm!
More details

Wine & Cheese Club, Rockwater Poole, 7:30pm - 9:30pm
A guided tasting evening on the Roof Terrace.
More details

Friday

Tudo Band, The Bermuda Triangle Pub, 9:00pm - 11:00pm
A night of vibrant live music.
More details

Sir Geoff Hurst: Last Man Standing, Lighthouse Poole, 7:45pm
A farewell tour with England’s World Cup hat-trick hero. From £34.10.
Get tickets

The Wiseguys, The Lord Nelson, Poole Quay, 9:00pm - 11:00pm
A high-energy pop/rock covers band performing hits from across the decades.
More details

Art & Music Nights, Sandbanks Brewery
Enjoy live music & local art displays. Bring your own food or grab a snack at the bar.
More details

Saturday

Canford Heath Art Society Exhibition, Gather, The Dolphin, 10:00am - 4:00pm
A showcase of local artwork.
Get inspired

Rattlesnake 'n' Tailfeathers, The Bermuda Triangle Pub, 9:00pm - 11:00pm
Classic rock vibes to kickstart the weekend.
Rock on

Krista Green (Live Music), Jenkins & Sons, Penn Hill
More details

Mozart's Requiem – The Quayside Choir & Wareham Choral Society, St James’ Church, Poole, 7:00pm
More details

Andrew Bird – A Ticklish Mind, Lighthouse Poole, 8:00pm
A hilarious evening with award-winning comedian Andrew Bird. From £17.50.
Get tickets

Sunday

Poole Park Open Day, Rockley Water Sports 10:00am - 4:00pm
Hire any of the pedalos, kayaks, canoes, stand up paddleboards or MEGASUP for free!
Get on the water

Quiz Night, Jenkins & Sons, Penn Hill, 6:30pm
£3 per person (cash) | Prize: The Cash Pot!
Get quizzing

Beach Clean, Easyriders Sandbanks Beach Club, 9:30am
Help keep Poole’s beaches beautiful as part of the Great Dorset Beach Clean.
More details

Monday

Get Up & Bounce in the Walled Garden!, Upton Country Park, 10:00am - 4:00pm
Bouncy castles for all ages, different pricing & duration options available.
More details

‘Happy Tuesday!’ from Mylo and his owner Sue!

Want your pet in the spotlight? Send us your best snap using this link!

Got a story? Know an inspiring individual? Want to promote a local charity? We’d love to hear about it—just drop us a message at [email protected].

That’s it! See you next week!