Could trams be coming back to Poole? BCP Council is dusting off the idea as part of a 15 year transport strategy, nearly a century after the town's original network closed. We'll explain what's actually being proposed, and why Poole isn't quite as central to the plan as you might hope.

Elsewhere this week: what could actually stop the Haven Hotel demolition now the story has gone national, a practical guide to the recent sewage discharges at Shore Road, and a new night out in Ashley Cross as Forum throws open its doors this weekend.

Plus the usual local history trivia question and a gorgeous thatched cottage for this week's property pick.

Enjoy!

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Poole had trams once. Between 1901 and 1935 you could ride from Poole Quay all the way to Christchurch Quay. BCP Council is now wondering aloud whether that idea deserves another look.

The council is exploring a tram or ultra-light rail network linking major destinations across the conurbation, as part of a 15 year transport strategy aiming to deliver mass transit by 2041. Councillor Andy Hadley, cabinet member for climate response, environment and energy, was clear that nothing has been committed and that it would need serious capital investment, but said it is something the council hopes to see happen one day.

Here is the bit Poole readers will notice. The route sketched out runs from Bournemouth town centre to the Vitality Stadium, the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, Castlepoint and the airport. Poole is not on it, and the council's AI generated images of possible tram stops are of Bournemouth.

There is a Poole thread in the wider plan, though: reopening the Hamworthy branch line was floated alongside the tram idea in the council's growth strategy earlier this year.

Last week we reported how the council has a £27 million overspend, so it is unlikely to happen without funding from central government.

Trams in Poole are not a new idea at all, of course. We will be digging into the story of Poole's original tram network in a forthcoming issue.

Last week we reported the application to demolish the Haven Hotel. Since then the story has been picked up nationally, and a fair few readers have asked the same question: can anything be done?

The honest answer is that objecting on principle will not work. Because this is a prior approval application under permitted development rules, the council may only consider how the building comes down and how the site is left. It is not allowed to weigh up whether the Haven should go at all.

There are two routes that would change that. The first is listing. Anyone can apply to Historic England, for free, to have a building listed, and a listed building cannot be demolished under these rules. The argument would rest on the Marconi connection rather than the architecture.

The second is a Building Preservation Notice. BCP Council can serve one on an unlisted building it thinks is of special interest and at risk, which protects it for six months as if it were listed while Historic England assesses it.

Neither is a formality. But they are the only two options that exist.

You may have seen the reports last week of sewage discharges at Shore Road, which forced a local swimming club to cancel its weekly session at a blue flag beach. Wessex Water confirmed four separate discharges there on the afternoon of Tuesday 8 September.

Rather than repeat the story, here’s how to check for yourself, and what to do if you are not happy.

Before you swim. Wessex Water runs a live map called Coast and Rivers Watch, which shows every monitored storm overflow in the region and updates every 15 minutes. It tells you when an overflow operated, but not whether the water is actually unsafe. For that, the “Safer Seas & Rivers Service” app is the better tool, since it turns discharge data into risk warnings for designated bathing waters and folds in the Environment Agency's pollution risk forecasts. The standard advice is to stay out of the water for 48 hours after a spill.

If you see something. Discoloured water, a slick, or a smell near a watercourse can be reported to the Environment Agency's incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60, which is staffed around the clock. Note the time and place, and take a photograph if you safely can.

If you want to complain. Go through Wessex Water's own complaints process first. If you are unhappy with the answer, you can escalate to CCW, the independent body that handles complaints about water companies.

If you want to push harder. Water quality in Poole Harbour is a long-running issue that BCP councillors have taken evidence on before, so your ward councillors and MP are both worth writing to.

Pier Journal, the Dorset arts and culture magazine, is launching its next issue with a members only event at Lighthouse in Poole on Tuesday 6 October. This is then followed up with an Official Launch Party on Friday 9 October which will feature a fully licensed bar stocked with local brands and food from some of the best Dorset foodie businesses.

Find out more and get tickets here!

If you have ever wondered what was going on at 16 to 18 Bournemouth Road, the answer is Forum, a new independent venue taking over the building most of us still think of as Mai Tai.

Coffee and workspace during the day, then live music, events, pop-ups, exhibitions, markets, fitness classes and private hire in the evenings. The team are open about wanting it shaped by the people who use it, and are actively asking for ideas, events and collaborations rather than waiting to be approached.

They are launching with a free opening weekend of DJs this Friday. Friday leans hip hop, UKG and drum and bass, Saturday goes house, disco and urban, with special guests across both nights. No tickets, no VIP areas and, in their words, no dress-to-impress nonsense.

Artists, take note too: submissions are open for Forum's first Dark Art Exhibition this October, part of their Halloween programme. Painting, illustration, photography, digital and mixed media all welcome, from established artists and complete beginners alike.

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We’re off to Wimborne this week for a thatched cottage that’s definitely worth a look! 👉 View the property

Diverse Abilities is running Baby Buddies, a free multi-sensory sessions for families with babies aged nought to two with complex medical conditions. They are built around play and early development, with professionals on hand to answer questions and give advice, and they are just as much about meeting other parents who understand the situation.

Sessions run 1pm to 3pm at The Treehouse in Hurn, with the next on Wednesday 23 September and further dates in November, January, March and May. Free, with free parking. Book with Nicki on 01202 518635 or [email protected].

Millions of oyster shells lie buried beneath Poole Quay, the remnants of a Saxon oyster fishery dating back over a thousand years.

The old Poole tram depot on Ashley Road later became a Hants and Dorset bus depot, then a Wilts and Dorset bus depot, before being demolished. But what is in the location today?

A beach hut in January sounds daft until you have done it: cup of tea, bacon sandwich, a blanket, and an empty beach.

Winter hut hire starts on 26 September and runs for 25 weeks through to 19 March, with 10 per cent off using the code WINTER10 at checkout. All subject to availability, on the council's beach hut hire pages.

If your child needs help getting to school or college, this consultation is worth two minutes of your time.

BCP Council has launched a public consultation on proposed updates to its Home to School Travel Support policies, and is inviting children and young people, parents, carers, schools, colleges and anyone else with a view to take part.

The council's framing is that getting to school looks very different for every child. Some walk or cycle a few streets, others travel much further or need additional support to get there at all, and this policy decides who gets help.

The consultation runs until midday on Wednesday 7 October. Details are on the BCP Council website.

Pictures Out of a Rucksack 05, The Gallery Upstairs, Upton Country Park, 10am to 4pm

An exhibition of prints and plein air paintings by Tom Marshall, running daily until Monday 21 September. Free admission, above the Tea Rooms, accessible by stairs or lift.

Hello You Studios Pop Up, Dolphin Shopping Centre, Monday 21 to Tuesday 22 September

A drop in pop up where visitors can see what the studio has on offer.

Coasts in Mind: A Lifetime of Change, Poole Museum, 10am to 5pm

An exhibition exploring 100 years of change in Poole Harbour through the pictures, objects and stories of the people who live here.

Life in Full Colour: The Art of Jason Wilsher-Mills, Poole Museum, 10am to 5pm

A bold, playful exhibition exploring Jason Wilsher-Mills' experience of disability and his love of popular culture. Running daily.

Light and Movement, Lighthouse Poole

An exhibition of work by local artist Mike Jeffries, exploring light and movement. Runs until Saturday 26 September.

Bike Nights on Poole Quay, The Quay, Poole, 5.30pm to 9pm

A weekly bike meet on Poole Quay, with food and drink from the harbourside eateries and pubs.

Freya Ridings, Mother of Pearl Tour, Lighthouse Poole, 7.30pm

Live gig from singer songwriter Freya Ridings, touring her album Mother of Pearl.

Murder, She Didn't Write, Lighthouse Poole, 7.45pm

An improvised comedy murder mystery, with the audience helping shape a brand new whodunnit each night.

Writing Stories for Stage and Screen, Lighthouse Poole, 7pm

A one off workshop for writers interested in stage and screen storytelling.

Daniel Foxx: How Lovely, Lighthouse Poole, 8pm

Stand up comedy from Daniel Foxx.

Supper Club with Wiston Estate, Rockwater, 7pm to 11pm

An evening supper club paired with wines from Wiston Estate.

The John Martyn Project, Lighthouse Poole, 7.45pm

A live tribute to the music of John Martyn.

The Bowie Experience, St Peter's, Poole, 6.45pm

A tribute show celebrating the music of David Bowie.

Friday Night is Music Night, Lighthouse Poole, 7pm

A live music evening at Lighthouse Poole.

Poole Pirates v Edinburgh, Play Off Semi Final, Poole Stadium, 7.30pm

Speedway play off semi final action as Poole Pirates take on Edinburgh. Under 11s go free. Tickets on sale now.

Sing-Along-A Musicals Live!, Lighthouse Poole, 7.45pm

A singalong evening of musical theatre favourites, with on screen lyrics.

Arthur Jeffes, Penguin Cafe, Lighthouse Poole, 8pm

Live gig from Arthur Jeffes, performing as Penguin Cafe.

Live Music: The Scanners, Bermuda Triangle Pub, 9pm to 11pm

Live band performance at the pub.

Forum Opening Weekend, Forum, 16 to 18 Bournemouth Road, Ashley Cross, Poole

A new independent event space in Ashley Cross opens its doors for the first time, in the former Mai Tai building. Friday's opening night brings hip hop, UKG and drum and bass DJs, continuing into Saturday. Free entry all weekend, no tickets needed.

Heritage Open Day, Upton House, Upton Country Park, 10am to 4pm

Free entry into Upton House, telling the story of the families and workers who lived there, plus a bookable free 45 minute below stairs guided tour. Continues Sunday 20 September, part of England's Heritage Open Days festival.

Phoenix Wellness Events: Holistic and Wellness Fayre, Lighthouse Poole, 10am

A fayre of holistic and wellness stalls and practitioners.

Glam 45, The Swan Inn, Poole, doors 6.30pm to 7pm

A tribute night to glam rock favourites from Slade, Bowie, T Rex, Sweet, Mud and more. Fancy dress optional.

Questa Voce, The Riverdance Suite, St Peter's, Poole, 7pm

A choral performance of the Riverdance Suite from Questa Voce.

John Kearns, Lighthouse Poole, 7.45pm

Stand up comedy from John Kearns.

Lucid Cabaret, Lighthouse Poole, 8pm

An evening of cabaret entertainment.

Live Music: Peter Cooley, Bermuda Triangle Pub, 9pm to 11pm

Live music performance at the pub.

The Alibi, The Goods Yard, Broadstone, 9pm

Live rock band performance from The Alibi.

Forum Opening Weekend, Forum, 16 to 18 Bournemouth Road, Ashley Cross, Poole

Second day of the opening weekend, see Friday 18 September for details. Saturday brings house, disco and urban DJs. Free entry, no tickets needed.

Heritage Open Day, Upton House, Upton Country Park, 10am to 4pm

Second day of the Heritage Open Day, see Saturday 19 September for details.

All Terrain Vehicle Nature Tour, Knoll Beach, Studland, 10am to 12pm

A National Trust ranger guided tour of the beach, dunes and heather trail in an all terrain vehicle, with stops for photos along the Jurassic Coast. One ticket covers up to three people, £150. Booking essential.

Book here

Live Music: Velkro Pom Pom, Bermuda Triangle Pub, 4pm to 6pm

Sunday afternoon live music session.

Rockwater Quiz Night, Rockwater, 6.30pm to 9pm

A monthly quiz night at Rockwater.

Tim Burton & Dark Fantasy by Moonlight, Lighthouse Poole, 7.30pm

An evening of music inspired by Tim Burton films and dark fantasy soundtracks.

Pier Presents: Town Centre Takeover Pop Up Shop, 6 Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, 10am to 5pm

Pier Journal takes over an empty shop for the day as part of the Bournemouth Town Centre Takeover, with stalls, a photo and art exhibition, zine making, a Pier Library and an analogue DJ station. Live music from Yazadi at 2pm and The Lonely Surf at 4.30pm. Free entry, no need to book.

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