Poole Pirates are champions for a third season running. We’ve got the story of how they did it.

There’s a genuine end of an era too: the Barfleur has sailed out of Poole for the last time, closing more than thirty years of ferry crossings to Cherbourg. Elsewhere this week, Poole rower Lexi Gill is off to the Youth Olympics in Dakar, Upton Country Park could be about to get ninety acres bigger, and we’ve reached part four of our history of Poole’s trams, looking at why they disappeared and what we might get back.

Plus the usual local history trivia question and an apology over last week’s property pick!

Jump in and enjoy!

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!

Poole Pirates are champions for a third season in a row, and you could not have scripted the finish.

Going into Wednesday night at Wimborne Road, Poole were eight points down from the first leg at Scunthorpe, which they lost 49 to 41. They then won the second leg by exactly the same score, 49 to 41, which left the two sides locked together on 90 points each across the two nights.

Dead level, after two full meetings and a whole season.

So it came down to a superheat. One race, everything on it. Poole won it 6 to 3, and the Cab Direct Championship stayed in Poole for a third consecutive year.

Congratulations to the riders, the management and everyone who turned up on a Wednesday night in October to roar them home.

The Barfleur sailed out of Poole for the final time yesterday, ending more than thirty years of cross Channel crossings from the town.

People gathered along the harbour to watch her go on a journey that she’s been making since April 1992.

Brittany Ferries announced earlier this year that it would sell the vessel and close the Poole to Cherbourg route, saying it was no longer commercially viable. The numbers behind that are fairly stark: passenger numbers on the route are reported to have fallen by around 70 per cent since 2002, and freight by around 94 per cent.

What it means for the port longer term is the question now. Poole keeps its other ferry traffic, and the harbour remains a working one, but losing a route that has run for three decades changes the shape of the place. It will also have a huge impact on local holiday makers and local schools which regularly used the ferry for trips to Normandy and beyond.

Lexi Gill is 17, she rows out of Poole, and at the end of this month she will be representing Great Britain at the Youth Olympics in Dakar.

Her event is beach sprint: competitors sprint down the sand to their boat, row out around a set of buoys, come back in, and then run up the beach to the finish line.

Lexi had been rowing for only about a year when she was invited to try beach sprint. She joined the Beach Sprints Development Academy, trialled for the Team GB development pathway, and got in.

A £1,000 grant from the Dorset Community Foundation's Lord-Lieutenant's Fund for Young and Talented helped get her there, paying for her own set of blades and for the travel and accommodation that competing at that level demands.

She goes to the World Beach Sprint Finals in China first, then to Dakar from 31 October to 3 November.

Beach sprint becomes a full Olympic event in 2028. Lexi has her eye on 2032. Remember the name.

Councillors meet today to decide the future of Upton Park Farm, and the headline is a good one: most of it would be folded into Upton Country Park, making one of our best used green spaces considerably larger.

The farm tenancy ended on 2 April this year. What is left is the original farmhouse, three cottages known as Pentre Cottages, a range of barns and buildings, and agricultural land running to 36.3 hectares, or just under 90 acres.

The plan is to open up the fields as public green space, with new paths, benches, signage and landscaping, and habitat work for the owls, bats and woodpeckers already there. The council papers are notably ambitious about access. Alongside improving the entrance at the A350 slip road, they float a pedestrian bridge over the A350 itself, linking Creekmoor directly into the park and on towards Holes Bay. Longer term the idea is to stitch the park into the Castleman Trailway, the Roman Road, Hamworthy station and a proposed route west towards Lytchett Minster and Sandford.

Currently we have a fantastic paved cycle and pedestrian pathway around Holes Bay that then stops and becomes a much narrower path through the woods at the park. Creating a cycle path that finally connects the one that leads through Upton to the route around Holes Bay would make an excellent commuter cycleway away from cars and pedestrians.

The fields matter for wildlife too, they sit just 16 and 18 metres from the Poole Harbour Special Protection Area, and are used by black-tailed godwit, curlew and little egret for feeding and roosting. Another 55 hectares of former farm fields are already managed as rough grazing specifically to cut the nitrogen running off into the harbour.

On the money, the council proposes putting £489,900 of heathland mitigation funding into creating more Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace, the land set aside to draw walkers and dogs away from protected heath. Upton already has 30 hectares of it, and the papers describe the existing site as an exemplar. Countryside stewardship agreements on the fields could bring in up to £33,000 a year.

The farmhouse, the three cottages and their gardens would be sold at public auction, as is, to help fund buying out the tenancy. The buildings are in poor condition and the papers openly expect buyers to demolish and rebuild.

What stops that becoming a housing estate is the 400 metre rule around Upton Heath, a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Inside that distance there is a presumption against any net increase in homes, so the expectation is four dwellings replaced on a one for one basis, each needing planning permission.

One barn near the park is earmarked for commercial use, with camping, active play and hospitality all mentioned. The others stay with the council for livestock welfare and hay storage.

Two other options were considered and dropped: doing nothing, and selling the whole lot.

What would you like to see at Upton Country Park

A fully funded business accelerator launches next month aimed at supporting more than 150 early-stage businesses across Dorset over the next two and a half years.

It is delivered by Evolve Advisory with Business Growth Dorset, and combines workshops, one-to-one support from experienced advisers, and the networking that is often the actual point of these things.

Topics include winning customers, finance and funding, business models, and using AI and digital tools. Workshops run across Dorset with some sessions online, and businesses can join the rolling six month programme at any point in the year.

It is open to limited companies and sole traders across both the BCP and Dorset Council areas, and it is free.

If you are a year or two in and trying to work out what comes next, this is worth a look. Sign up here.

The Bournemouth International Film Festival wrapped up on Saturday night with a black tie awards ceremony and 55 trophies handed out across the categories.

Nicole Sarah Fry, who we mentioned in our preview as one of the festival speakers, took the award for outstanding local filmmaker.

The biggest haul went to The Hustler, directed by Fedor and Nikita Kravchuk, which won six awards including the jury prize. Such a Vivid Imagination took five in the UK feature category. The Banjo Boys, directed by Neil Nayar with Bournemouth-based Johan Nayar, won for sound and original music. Trading Cards took UK animation, Life Goes On won UK short film, and Dusted Off took international short.

For a festival in only its second year, drawing more than 300 entries and filling the Hilton for two days, it is incredible result. Well done to Festival Director Steve McCarten and his team. We’ll keep you updated on the plans for next year!

This is one of the most popular sections of our newsletter - if you’re interested in sponsoring it in order to help keep PooleNow running - get in touch!

I’m really sorry, I messed up last week and put the wrong link in! Here it is again with the correct link, plus a new one for this week!

Property 1: Is this Nathan Ake’s house, or are they just a fan? I don’t know, but I’m guessing the lovely looking dog doesn’t come with the house: 👉 View the property

Property 2: Love a good view of a sunset? You’ll love this: 👉 View the property

So we had it. Sixteen miles of electric railway, running from Poole station to Christchurch, up to Moordown, out to the football. Clean, quiet, cheap. And then we got rid of it.

The end was not sudden. It started in 1929, when Bournemouth Corporation began running motorbuses alongside the trams. Buses did not need rails, did not need overhead wires, and could be rerouted whenever a road changed. Against a tram network that needed its track relaid every couple of decades, that flexibility was hard to argue with.

From 1933 the trolleybuses arrived, keeping the electric overhead but dropping the rails. Route by route, the trams were converted. The last ones ran on 8 April 1936, thirty five years after Poole opened the first line in the area. The trolleybuses themselves lasted until 1969, which plenty of readers will remember, and after that it was diesel buses and cars and the traffic we know now.

Looked at from 1936 it was a reasonable decision. The track was ageing, buses were cheaper, the number of cars on the road was significantly less and nobody then was worrying about air quality or carbon.

Trams design has changed a lot over the past 100 years, with modern trams being very different to those that ran through BCP in the past.

A Bournemouth tram of the period was an open-top double-decker running on narrow three foot six inch track. Car 85, built in 1914 and now preserved at the National Tramway Museum, seated 68 people.

Now take a modern one. The trams running in Nice, France today are 45 metres long and carry around 200 people each.

That is nearly three times what a 1914 Bournemouth tram could manage, in one go. They are also fully enclosed, heated, step-free from platform to floor, and quiet enough to hold a conversation on.

Although the trams are no longer running from Poole, two of the Bournemouth fleet survive. Number 85 is preserved at the National Tramway Museum in Derbyshire. Car 106 was given to the Seaton Tramway in 1974, rebuilt, and has been carrying passengers again as number 16 since 1992. Ninety years after the last one left Poole, you can still buy a ticket and ride one.

Next week we will look at what a modern tram system actually involves, how other towns our size have built one, and what it might mean for getting around Poole and BCP.

The tower was built around 1855 by Charles William Packe MP, marking the western extent of his Branksome Tower Estate. Despite being locally known as the Martello Tower, it was never a military structure. It has since fallen down the cliff, leaving no trace.

To mark the end of The Barfleur service to France, we’ve found some recent historical trivia for you:

We said we would list them once they were confirmed, and they are. Eight candidates are standing in the Penn Hill by-election on Thursday 5 November.

In alphabetical order: Ace Cruz (Green Party), Xena Dion (Reform UK), Louise Fielden (Independent), Ashley Fraser (Conservatives), Amanda Jellicoe (Liberal Democrats), Ralph Lynch (Labour Party), Susan Stockwell (Independent) and Max Walker (Restore Britain).

The deadlines are now very close. You must be registered to vote by Tuesday 20 October. Postal vote applications, or changes to an existing postal or proxy arrangement, have to be in by 5pm on Wednesday 21 October. Proxy applications close at 5pm on Wednesday 28 October.

Bring photo ID on the day. If you have not got an accepted form, you can still apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate.

Polling stations are open 7am to 10pm.

A practical one for the diary: BCP has opened renewals and new applications for the 2027 garden waste collection service.

The fortnightly service runs from 25 January to 10 December next year, with 23 collections in total. To get every collection from the start, you need to sign up or renew online by 31 December.

You can apply, renew and download a personalised collection calendar through the BCP Council website.

Sharon James: The Past is Present, Main Gallery, Lighthouse Poole, continuing to Saturday 31 October, daily Tuesday to Sunday

The Swanage-based artist's exhibition exploring Black British history, heritage and identity through drawings, textiles, film and a book of images continues through October.

Present Laughter, Lighthouse Poole, Tuesday 13 to Saturday 17 October

Noël Coward's classic comedy, performed live on stage.

Craftaholics Makers Market, GATHER, Dolphin Shopping Centre, Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 October, 10am to 3pm

A market of local independent makers and craft stalls at GATHER.

Conkers Magical Earth Academy, Upton Country Park, continuing to Saturday 31 October

A wonderland of nature and magic, with spellbinding workshops, masterclasses and candle making sessions created especially for little alchemists, aspiring witches, wizards and joyful souls of all ages.

The Gallery Upstairs presents 'Other Distractions', Upton Country Park, Friday 16 October to Monday 2 November, 10am to 4.30pm

An exhibition by members of the Poole and East Dorset Art Society (PEDAS). Free admission. The Gallery is above the Tea Rooms, accessible by stairs or lift.

Fabulous Fungi, Brownsea Island, to Saturday 17 October

A National Trust trail exploring the island's autumn fungi.

Westlife: The 25th Anniversary World Tour, Bournemouth International Centre, 7pm

The Irish pop group bring their 25th anniversary arena tour to Bournemouth.

BSO: Romantic Transitions, Lighthouse Poole, 7.30pm

The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra performs at Lighthouse Poole.

Kathakali, Lighthouse Poole, 8pm

A classical Indian dance drama performance at Lighthouse Poole.

Brandon Flowers, O2 Academy Bournemouth, 7pm

The Killers frontman plays a solo show in Bournemouth.

Live Music: Zoe Schwarz Bluez Party, Bermuda Triangle Pub, 8.30pm to 10.30pm

Live music from the Zoe Schwarz Bluez Party at the Bermuda Triangle Pub, Ashley Cross.

BCP Lifeline Information Day, GATHER, Dolphin Shopping Centre

Drop in to find out about BCP Council's personal alarm and emergency response service for older or vulnerable residents.

Coffin Club, GATHER, Dolphin Shopping Centre, 10am to 5pm

A free, open-to-everyone community session at GATHER.

Boots & Beers, S Bomb, 6pm to 11.30pm

A night of country music, drinks and dancing by the harbour, with live music from Kirstie Loren and a late night country party with DJ Cliff Knows Country. Plenty of space for line dancing, food truck TBC. Free entry.

Avatar: The Last Airbender in Concert, Lighthouse Poole, 7.30pm

A live concert performance of the film score at Lighthouse Poole.

Studio Jazz: A Celebration for Fred Lindop, The Alan Barnes All-Star Sextet, Lighthouse Poole, 7.45pm

Jazz at Lighthouse Poole's Studio Jazz series.

Antony Szmierek, O2 Academy Bournemouth, 7pm

The Manchester poet and musician plays Bournemouth, with support from Ellur.

China Crisis: Warped Tour 2026, St Peter's, Poole, 7pm

The 1980s band known for hits including 'Christian' and 'Wishful Thinking' play St Peter's, Poole.

9 to 5 the Musical, Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre, Friday 16 and Saturday 17 October, 7.30pm

A community theatre production from BBLOC.

Live Music: Tudo, Bermuda Triangle Pub, 9pm to 11pm

Live music from Tudo at the Bermuda Triangle Pub, Ashley Cross.

Hello You Studios: Halloween Mini Photo Shoots, GATHER, Dolphin Shopping Centre, Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October

A weekend pop-up offering Halloween themed mini photo shoots at GATHER.

Mistero Buffo, Lighthouse Poole, 8pm

Dario Fo's satirical play performed live at Lighthouse Poole.

Faulty Towers: The Dining Experience, Key West Bar & Grill, Bournemouth Pier, 7pm

An interactive comedy dining experience inspired by Fawlty Towers.

Live Music: Bone Idol, Bermuda Triangle Pub, 9pm to 11pm

Live music from Bone Idol at the Bermuda Triangle Pub, Ashley Cross.

DJ Set: Penthouse, Bermuda Triangle Pub, 9pm to 1am

George Long presents a deluxe house music night in the club room behind the bookcase at the Bermuda Triangle Pub.

Live Music: Drift Tones, Bermuda Triangle Pub, 4pm to 6pm

Live music from Drift Tones at the Bermuda Triangle Pub, Ashley Cross.

Amelia's Rainbow Halloween Pop Up, GATHER, Dolphin Shopping Centre, Monday 19 to Friday 23 October

A Halloween themed charity pop up, with proceeds supporting children with serious, life-limiting illnesses and disabilities.

Christine Collister & Dave Kelly, Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne, 7.30pm

A folk and blues double bill at the Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne.

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