SEAFOOD AND SOUNDS 2023 LAUNCHED

Where Poole’s Heritage of Seafood and Music Come Together.

Seafood and Sounds held a launch at Hennings on the Quay, Thursday 29th June to outline details of the event planned for the weekend of Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th September 2023.  Combining Poole’s heritage of music and seafood, Seafood and Sound was created by five Poole business owners (City Cruises, The Customs House, The Poole Arms, Saint Tropez Restaurant and Truly Scrumptious) in response to the loss of two popular events.  

On welcoming the guests made up of local businesses, residents and dignitaries, Event Organiser Jeanette Walsh outlined the weekend and encouraged other local businesses to get involved saying ‘Tonight is about launching Poole’s newest community event, Seafood and Sounds. It’s being organised by five business owners, who are all here tonight, myself from Truly Scrumptious sweet shop, Michelle from The Poole Arms, Helen & Carol from City Cruises, Nikki from The Customs House & Severine from St Tropez.’ 

She continued, ‘The Idea came about after Poole Seafood Festival was cancelled and by the time we sat down to plan this event, Poole Goes Vintage had also been cancelled. We’re all volunteering our services free of charge but are grateful to BCP Council and Poole BID who have supplied the funds to put on the weekend.’ 

The current plan for the weekend includes the following: 

Afternoon Music 

Twenty-four acts made up of local musicians will be playing during the afternoons from five stages around the Poole Quay and Lower High Street area. The Poole Quay locations are outside the Customs House, the Sea Sculpture, The Poole Arms and Fish Shambles Steps.  Poole Museum and Scaplens Court will host a fifth stage in the lower High Street. 

Evening Music 

Once the afternoon music ends, participating pubs and restaurants will take on the musical theme with live music at their own premises.  

Special Seafood Recipes 

Hospitality outlets will be offering their own celebratory seafood recipe, the Seafood and Sounds Dish of The Day, throughout the weekend.  

Michelle from The Poole Arms encouraged pubs and restaurants to include a special seafood dish. ‘All hospitality outlets who put on a special Seafood and Sounds Dish of The Day during the weekend will have their details in the programme which is being produced prior to the event. We will also have the menus on our website.’ 

Fisherman’s and Local Produce Market in Hennings on The Quay 

There are plans for a fish and produce market with craft and retail stalls within Hennings, and local fishermen and businesses have already expressed interest in being part of this additional attraction.  

Helen Bull from City Cruises confirmed bookings for 12 stalls with interest from many others. ‘It was agreed at the early planning stage to incorporate Hennings into the weekend as it’s a lovely space well-suited to a market. I am confident that more businesses will join the dozen companies already booked to take advantage of this inaugural Fisherman’s and Local Produce Market.’ 

Seafood and Sound Oyster Trail  

The family-focused trail will run over the weekend in partnership with Nead from Surf Tide Treasurers. Designed to encourage visitors to explore the area it is similar to a treasure hunt, but participants look for oyster shells hanging in windows throughout the Old Town, Thames Street, Market Street and the Quay.  Each of the oyster shells are decorated and feature a letter which when all are collected will form a phrase.  

Nikki from the Customs House outlined the event adding, ‘We’re still working on the finer details of the Seafood and Sounds Oyster Trail but have two wonderful prizes generously donated by local companies. An overnight stay and breakfast at the Hotel Du Vin, a Jurassic Cruise for a family of four from City Cruises and a Poole Pottery Dolphin vase.’ 

The launch evening was rounded off by Severine of St Tropez who thanked supporting businesses.  ‘This event would not be possible without the funding, support, advice and creative ideas of so many companies. So, thank you to BCP Council and Poole BID for funding and thanks to the following companies who have offered their services free of charge. They are Suzy Wheeler of Absolute Music for help and advice on the bands, Poole Harbour Commissioners for the use of bins during the event, Quay Embroidery for the Tee Shirts we’re wearing this evening, Georgina Bartlett of Saltwater Stone for PR and marketing advice and Rob Brown of Brown Booth for designing and supporting our website.’ 

For more information, click here.