Poole News
SPEED CAMERA UPDATE !
All of us drivers in Poole need to be on our best behaviour as existing traffic light cameras are going to be used to start to catch speeding drivers.
The Dorset Safety Camera Partnership (DSCP) is making the move as part of a drive to meet the government target of a 40 per cent reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured in road collisions by 2010. Under the “speed on green” idea, the red light safety cameras which previously only caught drivers jumping red lights will now also be used to catch speeding vehicles when the light is green.
The idea is being introduced in Poole at the junction of Holes Bay Road and Sterte Road, where the limit is 30mph, and could be used elsewhere later. (Thu 2 July 09)
View Holes Bay Road in a larger map
DOLPHIN SHOPPING CENTRE CELEBRATES 40 YEARS !
Tuesday 23 June, 2009; Forty years ago on 1 July the Arndale Centre first opened its doors as one of the most modern shopping centres in the south of England. Four decades later it's still a thriving retail hub, and the Dolphin Shopping Centre invites the community to join its 40th anniversary celebrations on Saturday 4 July.
It's hard to believe that so much time has gone by since then Mayor of Poole, Ald. Ron Hart, cut the first turf to mark the beginning of the Arndale development in March 1967.
Buildings past repair following the economic difficulties after the Second World War were cleared to make way for new roads, modern housing and new developments which would dramatically change the town's landscape. These included Poole General Hospital and the Arndale Centre, which became the Dolphin Shopping Centre in 1988.
Transforming Poole town centre and linking the Bus Station with Kingland Crescent and the High Street, the Arndale Centre was believed to be only the second centre of its kind in the country, bringing an American-style undercover shopping experience to Poole.
The shopping centre has undergone various phases of development since then, with the most recent refurbishment in 2004. Despite its changing faces, the Centre has continued to attract top High Street stores and independent retailers. In fact some of the shops that were present when the Arndale opened can still be found in the Dolphin Shopping Centre today, including Marks & Spencer, Beales, Oswald Bailey, HM Samuel and Boots.
Forty years on and the Dolphin Shopping Centre remains at the heart of Poole and still enjoys millions of visitors each year.
A series of exciting celebrations are planned to mark the 40th anniversary on Saturday 4 July, with lots of free fun for all of the family. Children can decorate their very own cake to take home and have their face painted to mark this special occasion in the town's history.
Bluey, the Dolphin Shopping Centre's mascot will be making appearances throughout the day and no birthday party would be complete without a balloon modeller. Stilt walkers and a wondering birthday present will also be part of the fun while the whole family can also enjoy hunting for the birthday cards hidden in stores throughout the Centre for the chance to win some great prizes.
Officials at the Dolphin Shopping Centre have worked with the Daily Echo to trace the history of the shopping centre from the Sixties up to the present day in preparation for the anniversary celebrations. The Centre has used cuttings from the paper to form a large part of a unique exhibition which opens on Saturday 4 July on the Main Mall, charting the development of the Centre and the land on which it stands.
Stephanie Connelly, Dolphin Shopping Centre Manager, said: “We are very proud to be celebrating our 40 th anniversary; this shopping centre has been a very important part of the town's history for a long time. The exhibition and Daily Echo cuttings provide us with a valuable insight into the Centre's earliest days. We are very grateful to the Daily Echo for making this resource available to us. The management team and staff, together with the stores, are certainly looking forward to marking this important occasion with our loyal shoppers. We hope lots of local people will come and join in the fun over our anniversary weekend.”
What was happening in your life when the Arndale Centre opened in 1969? The Dolphin Shopping Centre is inviting the local community to share their memories of the late 1960s in Poole. Simply write to the Dolphin Shopping Centre, Management Suite, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1SZ. (Tue 23 Jun 09)
THREE ARRESTED FOLLOWING DEATH OF DEER
Three teenagers, aged between 15 and 17 and from the Turlin Moor area of Poole Three boys have been arrested in connection with the killing of a baby deer in Upton Country Park. last week.
The teenagers were arrested this morning following information from the public. They are currently in police custody for questioning and expected to be released on bail later today. (Mon 15 Jun 09)
BABY DEER KILLED IN UPTON COUNTRY PARK
Dorset Police have reported that a baby deer has been stamped to death in Upton Country Park. The attack, described by Dorset Police 's wildlife officer, PC John Snellin as “sickening”, took place at about 5pm on Wednesday 10 June 2009..
Three hooded teenagers are being sought in connection with the attack, which PC John Snellin said had “beggared belief”.
A member of the public who witnessed the attack followed three white males from the park in the direction of Turlin Moor. All three had short black hair and were wearing hooded tops and tracksuit trousers, said PC Snellin. One of the youths was wearing grey trousers with distinctive, bright yellow stripes, made from high visibility material, stitched to the leg and running to the ankle, he added.
Anyone with information about the attack should contact Dorset Police on 01202 222222, or the free and anonymous Crime Stoppers service on 0800 555 111, where mobile phone tariffs may apply. (Daily Echo 11 June 09)
POOLE TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB - NEW HOME AGREED ?
Last night, the Dolphins were given the go-ahead to move to a new home on Branksome Recreation Ground, after Councillors voted 20-16 in favour of the controversial £1m scheme during a highly charged Town Hall meeting.
Both supporters and opponents of the proposal turned out in numbers to a meeting that at times seemed likely to boil over. The next step will be for a formal planning application to be lodged, which supporters are already suggesting will be approved, however, as we all know, the planning process is a long-winded affair and the end result can never be guaranteed, so watch this space. (Wed 10 Jun 09)
POOLE AUDI HOLDS THE QUAY TO A RECORD!
Poole Audi, Poole's only new and Approved Used Audi Centre was host to the seventh ‘TT on the Quay' event, held on Poole Quay on Friday 29 th May.
The popular event attracted 71 TT owners and their cars, many from the TT Owner's Club – beating a record attendance of 68 TTs that was set in 2007!
Poole Audi General Sales Manager, Kelly Stone, said: “The event has grown in popularity since the very first one held in 2002 when we welcomed just 28 TT owners and their cars. The TT was released in 1999 and has remained one of the most popular models in the Audi range ever since.
“ There was a real buzz on the Quay and much talk of the new TT RS which we expect in our Ringwood Road showroom before the end of June – the car boasts a 2.5 litre turbo charged engine and produces 340 PS. It accelerates from 0-62 mph in 4.6 seconds and still has an official combined fuel consumption of 30.7 mpg. It's a remarkable car, and I am sure we will see more than one RS at next year's event!”
Poole Audi employs over 84 staff and occupies a total of over 40,000sq ft of showroom, service and accident repair facilities at its Poole base.
2009 sees the 100 th anniversary of Audi and Audi will have a presence at the Goodwood Festival of Speed to celebrate in real style with its clients. (Tue 2 Jun 09)
MORE BLUE FLAGS FOR POOLES BEACHES
Once again beaches in Poole have been awarded the coveted blue flag. The beaches are :
Poole has now been able to proudly fly the Blue Flag since 1987.
(Thu 7 May 09)
£6m JOHN LEWIS STORE TO OPEN IN POOLE
The new format shop, which will sell products from its home sector, including electrical and home technology goods will create a 100 new jobs when it opens at Poole Commerce Centre, Redlands Road in Branksome this autumn. The new store will be called "John Lewis at Home".
Local Council members have welcomed the news of the new store and the promise of new jobs. However, as locals will testify, traffic at this location is already a problem and a new store of this nature and other stores which are due to open later this year can only worsen the problem. (Thu 7 May 09)
NEW FIRE ENGINE TO TACKLE HEATH FIRES
A new £200,000 fire vehicle has been unveiled in Dorset to help tackle heathland blazes.
The new Dorset Fire & Rescue Service 4X4 Unimog is designed for rough terrain and can carry up to 5,000 litres of water to the scene of a fire.
Fire crews said it was ideal for tackling heath blazes in rural areas. It comes after a fire at Talbot Heath last week that destroyed five hectares. (see below)
Visit the BBC News website to see a video clip of the new vehicle > (Wed 29 Apr 09)
GOOGLE STREET VIEW COMES TO TOWN
It would appear that Google is busy at work preparing to bring their Street View maps of the Poole and Bournemouth areas online.
Their specially equipped cars have been spotted out and about in the towns so expect them to appear online in the near future ! (Thu 23 Apr09)
CREDIT CRUNCH BITES
With the whole of the country seemingly gripped in financial worries, thoughts are turning to holidays and the possibility of staying in the UK. Poole has many great attractions to offer holidayamkers (particularly families) , find out more about the attractions of staying at home this year by following this link for more information > (Sun 11 Jan 09)
