If it feels too hot to work or study at the moment, console yourself that we get to enjoy living by the sea and can head to the beach on days like these to cool off! In this issue, we’ve got lots of news stories to catch you up on, including how you can get involved in the town council meeting, changes being made to a new housing development in Creekmoor and a lovely initiative from the organisers of the Bournemouth Writing Festival.

Looking ahead to the weekend, Folk Festival on Poole Quay brings live music, Morris dancing and family entertainment to the waterfront, while there are comedy shows, concerts, sporting events and plenty of live music happening across Poole and the surrounding area. We've got all the details below.

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!

Residents are being encouraged to attend Poole Town Council's next full council meeting on Thursday 25 June, where councillors will discuss a number of important issues affecting the town.

The meeting takes place at The Spire on Poole High Street and members of the public are welcome to attend.

Among the agenda items is the creation of a Local Plan Consultation Working Party, which will help shape the council's response to future planning policies affecting Poole.

One item likely to attract particular interest is a confidential discussion regarding the future of Poole Civic Centre. Councillors will receive an update on the current situation and decide whether the Town Council wishes to pursue use of part of the building, known as the "Vertical Slice".

The Civic Centre remains a subject of significant local interest following BCP Council's plans to sell the site, and while that discussion will take place in private session, the meeting offers residents an opportunity to hear more about the Town Council's priorities and ongoing work.

The public question session begins at 6pm, with questions required in advance.

We had a lots of feedback to our survey last week on the new BCP Local Plan, so I’ve included it again below to gather more responses before we report on the results next issue.

Treasure Island Play Area in Canford Cliffs, known to generations of local children as the Pirate Park, has undergone a £130,000 refurbishment, bringing a brand-new pirate ship, upgraded climbing equipment, sensory play features, a mini zip-wire and improved accessibility.

The improvements were funded jointly by the Canford Cliffs Land Society and a Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy allocation, with the work delivered as part of BCP Council's wider play improvement programme.

After an evening sea swim this week, we popped along to take a look for ourselves. Our two daughters absolutely loved exploring the new equipment.

Further improvements planned for play areas across Poole, including Hamworthy Park and other locations.

Dust off your cowboy boots because a brand-new country music event is heading to the centre of Poole this summer.

Country in The Square will take place in Falkland Square, outside The Dolphin Shopping Centre, on Saturday 22 August from midday until 3pm, bringing live music, line dancing and family-friendly entertainment to the town centre.

The free event will be headlined by popular Dorset country, folk and Americana band Route 66, known for their lively performances and crowd-pleasing setlists.

Visitors can also join in with line dancing sessions led by DJ Dom Yates, whether they're experienced dancers or complete beginners.

Adding to the fun, attendees will have the chance to win a pair of Ariat cowboy boots in a special competition supported by event sponsors.

Organised with support from Poole BID and several local partners, the event aims to create a vibrant summer atmosphere while encouraging people to spend time in Poole town centre and support local businesses.

Football fans and aspiring young footballers have plenty to look forward to this summer as The Dolphin Shopping Centre launches a month-long celebration of sport.

To coincide with the FIFA World Cup and Wimbledon Championships, the centre has teamed up with Poole-based indoor football venue FTY Lab to host a series of free football challenges throughout June.

The Fast Feet competition invites participants to score as many goals as possible in one minute inside an interactive training ring. The player topping the leaderboard at the end of the month will win an official children's England football shirt.

The sessions take place outside Boots from 10am to 4pm on selected weekends, including 20-21 June and 27-28 June, with no booking required.

World Cup matches from the previous evening will also be replayed on the centre's big screen throughout the tournament, while Wimbledon coverage will be shown from 29 June to 12 July.

It's a great excuse to head into town, enjoy the sporting atmosphere and perhaps test your football skills while you're there.

Residents are being invited to explore the changing story of Poole Harbour through a series of free creative workshops at Poole Museum next month.

Artist Jodie House and the Coasts in Mind project will lead a number of community collage sessions on 1, 4 and 8 July, encouraging participants to create artwork inspired by the harbour's evolving landscape, wildlife, industry and communities.

Using historic photographs and images from the project's archive, visitors will have the chance to produce their own creative response to the changes taking place around Poole Harbour.

No previous artistic experience is required, and all ages are welcome.

Completed collages can even be photographed and displayed as part of the Coasts in Mind exhibition at Poole Museum, giving participants the opportunity to become part of the exhibition themselves.

It's a fun and creative way to explore local history while helping tell the continuing story of one of Poole's most treasured natural landmarks.

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A developer has formally asked BCP Council to remove the affordable housing requirement from a long-running housing development planned for Roberts Lane in Poole.

Planning permission for 43 homes on the site was originally approved in 2021 following an application first submitted in 2019. As part of the approval, the developer agreed to provide 17 affordable homes through a legally binding Section 106 agreement.

However, the site owner, Tidemains Limited, has now submitted an application seeking to vary that agreement and remove the affordable housing requirement altogether.

The developer argues that rising construction costs, infrastructure requirements and wider economic changes have made the scheme financially unviable if affordable housing is included. A viability assessment commissioned by the company concludes that the development would only generate a marginal surplus if all homes were sold on the open market.

The application will now be considered by BCP Council, which can either refuse the request, agree to remove the affordable housing obligation, or seek an alternative arrangement.

Affordable housing remains one of the most debated planning issues across Poole and Dorset, with demand continuing to outstrip supply. The outcome of this application could therefore be closely watched as a test case for other developments facing similar viability challenges.

A unique project encouraging people to share memories, hopes and personal reflections is coming to Dorset this summer.

The Bournemouth Writing Festival has launched the Wind Phone Project, which will see special telephones placed in community locations across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

Unlike ordinary telephones, Wind Phones are not connected to a phone line. Instead, they provide a space for people to speak freely to someone they miss, a loved one who has passed away, a friend, a pet, their younger self or simply to themselves.

Originally created in Japan, Wind Phones have become powerful spaces for reflection around the world.

Festival organisers hope the Dorset project will not only help people process grief but also encourage positive conversations, gratitude, storytelling and personal reflection.

Community groups, schools, charities and businesses are now being invited to get involved by hosting or supporting the project.

Poole Museum is preparing to welcome a spectacular new exhibition this summer that promises to fill its galleries with colour, imagination and larger-than-life characters.

Life in Full Colour: The Art of Jason Wilsher-Mills opens on 10 July and runs until January 2027, showcasing the work of the acclaimed artist whose creations blend humour, storytelling and personal experience.

Visitors can expect giant sculptures, inflatables, digital artworks and newly commissioned pieces inspired by Poole's maritime history and museum collections.

Jason's artistic journey began after a childhood illness left him paralysed for a year. Learning to paint using a brush held in his mouth became a defining moment that continues to influence his work today.

The exhibition has been designed with accessibility at its heart and includes large print guides, audio interpretation and dedicated wellbeing spaces.

With free admission and plenty of interactive elements, it looks set to become one of Poole's standout cultural attractions this summer.

Folk Festival on Poole Quay, Poole Quay, 11am-6pm (27-28 June)
A weekend of live folk music, Morris dancing, fairground rides, face painting and family entertainment along Poole Quay. Visit the festival website for details.

Art on the Heath Summer Exhibition, The Gallery Upstairs at Upton Country Park, daily 10am-4:30pm (24 June-6 July)
A free summer exhibition showcasing work from local artists. The fully accessible gallery sits above the Tea Rooms and is open daily throughout the exhibition period.

World Cup Weekends with FTY Lab, The Dolphin Shopping Centre, Poole, 27-28 June, 10am-4pm
Test your football skills in the interactive training ring, watch World Cup action on the big screen and enjoy family-friendly activities throughout the weekend. No booking required.

Shake & Stir Vintage Armed Forces Weekender, Fisherman's Walk, Southbourne, Saturday and Sunday
A celebration of vintage culture, live music, dancing, classic vehicles and Armed Forces heritage, bringing together community spirit and entertainment by the coast.

Bike Nights on Poole Quay, Poole Quay, from 5:30pm
See an impressive display of motorcycles against the backdrop of Poole Harbour while enjoying the quay's pubs, restaurants and family atmosphere.

Michelle Wolf: Best Job in the World, Lighthouse Poole, 7:45pm
The Emmy-nominated comedian and Netflix star brings her latest stand-up show to Poole.

Poole Pirates v Berwick Bandits, Wimborne Road Stadium, from 7:30pm
The Pirates take on Berwick in the first leg of the MAXiCab Knockout Cup Semi-Final. Kids under 11 go free.

Kingsmen Live, Bermuda Triangle, Ashley Cross, 8:30pm-10:30pm
Live music from Kingsmen at one of Ashley Cross's most popular venues.

A Beautiful Thread: Thomas Hardy in Words and Music, Lighthouse Poole, 7:45pm
Anton Lesser stars in this acclaimed production celebrating the life, poetry and novels of Dorset's most famous writer.

Hidden Triangle Community DJ Sessions, Bermuda Triangle, Ashley Cross, 7pm-11pm
An opportunity for emerging DJs to perform on a professional club sound system and connect with fellow music lovers.

Rockwater x Flipside, Rockwater Branksome, 6pm-midnight
A sunset-to-late-night rooftop party featuring deep house, Afro-house and live performances overlooking the sea. Book tickets

La Nova Singers: Songs of Stage and Screen, St Peter's Church, Poole, doors 7pm
An evening of opera, musical theatre and film favourites performed by the award-winning women's choir. Book tickets online.

Kolumbia Live, Sandbanks Brewery, from 7pm
The rising local band returns to Sandbanks Brewery, with Pizza With Love serving food from around 4pm.

Mark Nightingale with the Andy Urquhart Quartet, Jazz Café Sandbanks, 7pm
The acclaimed jazz trombonist performs alongside the Andy Urquhart Quartet for an evening of world-class jazz.

Coastal Comedy: June 2026, Lighthouse Poole, 8pm
A triple bill of stand-up featuring Sean Collins, James Dowdeswell and Les Keen.

TheWiseguys, Tap & Grape, Broadstone, from 9pm
One of Bournemouth's leading party bands performs classic pop and rock hits from across the decades.

Curveball, The Goods Yard, Broadstone, 9pm
The popular local band returns for another lively night of live music.

Saurus, Bermuda Triangle, Ashley Cross, 9pm-11pm
Live music from Saurus at the Bermuda Triangle.

Billie Marten, St Peter's Church, Poole, doors 6pm
The acclaimed singer-songwriter performs as part of the In The Nave concert series. Book tickets online.

Peter Burns Live, Sandbanks Brewery, from 5:30pm
A relaxed evening of live acoustic music, with Chippee Ki-Yay serving loaded fries.

Bone Idol, Bermuda Triangle, Ashley Cross, 9pm-11pm
A night of live music from Bone Idol.

Lithium, Tap & Grape, Broadstone, from 8:30pm
Classic tracks from across the decades performed live.

Murphy's Lore Ceilidh, Poole Quay, from 4pm
Part of the Folk Festival on Poole Quay, enjoy an afternoon and evening of traditional folk music and ceilidh dancing.

Richard Quain Acoustic Sunday Session, Rockwater Branksome, 2pm-4pm
Relax with live acoustic music, food and drinks on the Roof Terrace overlooking the coast.

Peter Cooley Live, Bermuda Triangle, Ashley Cross, 4pm-6pm
Sunday afternoon live music in Ashley Cross.

Nicole McNally Live, Bank by Nicholas James, Penn Hill, 4pm-6pm

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