News

The centrepiece of the T2F with 2CR FM summer programme will be two special Thursday night events - 'Oysters Live on the Quay' and 'Sands on the Beach', which will take place alternate Thursdays from May to the end of August. From 2 May, Poole's skies will be lit with a fantastic firework finale every Thursday for the next 18 weeks.

A brand new Oysters Live on the Quay event will focus on live music and entertainment along the length of Poole Quay. Sponsored by Future 3000's new Quayside operation, Oyster Quay, this high quality stylish event will not be a repeat of previous Quay evenings. The event is also supported by the Daily Echo, Poole Pottery, Thistle Hotel, Custom House and major pub chains on the Quay - Hall & Woodhouse, Laurel's pubs and Brewsters Fayre.

Oysters Live on the Quay dates: May 2, 16, 30; Jun 13, 27; Jul 11, 25; Aug 8, 22

On the alternate Thursday evenings Sands On the Beach sponsored by the Sandbanks Hotel and supported by the Daily Echo and Banquets of Oxford, follows on from its huge success last year. This year's focus will concentrate on two distinct themes; a family/children's theme at Sandbanks Beach and a Caribbean/adult theme at Shore Road with imaginative beach barbeque.

Sands on the Beach dates: May 9, 23; June 6, 20; July 4, 18; August 1, 15, 29

Bruce Grant-Braham, Chairman of Poole Tourism Panel, said: "Last year we exceeded our expectations with our special events programme and because of the continued support and commitment of our business sponsors we have been able to make this year's bigger and better. We have gained a reputation for being able to party with the best and 2002 will certainly be the longest summer ever. I am unaware of any other resort that can boast 18 weeks of Summer fireworks - and what's more they are all free and as much fun for residents as they are for visitors".

With spectacular Thursday night events only one aspect of the innovative T2F programme, others include:

Tuesday nights: Dream Machines motorcycle evenings on Poole Quay, May to September.

Wednesday nights: Poole Pirates Speedway racing at Poole Stadium. Sky TV's support of speedway has catapulted it to new recognition and Poole is fast becoming the Manchester United of the sport. Poole Tourism has agreed a shared marketing package with the promoters.

Poole Tourism also announced personal sponsorship of top Pirate's rider Hans Anderson, whose own ambitions for success and competitiveness are considered similar to Poole's.

Friday nights: Quay for my Car with the Daily Echo. The Daily Echo has joined forces with Poole Tourism to create a new event from May to September that will see gatherings on Poole Quay of:

1^st Friday of each month Red Open Top Sports Cars

2^nd Friday of each month Mini Magic - new and old

3^rd Friday of each month Beetle Mania - new and old

4^th Friday of each month Swinging 60's

5^th Friday of each month Be SMART

Jeremy Lewis, Managing Director of 2CR FM, said: "We are delighted to be the corporate sponsors of T2F in 2002. Over the last 21 years 2CR FM has become the area's leading local radio station and we are proud to invest in Poole in order to help provide a fantastic range of events in the longest summer. It's an exciting time to be involved in Poole".

Also launched at the event, Poole Audi September Vibe - a month of events show casing Poole as the home of national, top quality gastronomic and sporting excellence. The three main Poole Audi September Vibe events also supported by the Daily Echo are:

Taste 2002 by Prowting Homes - Poole's annual festival of food.

Poole Audi Hex-treme - Poole's unique multi-sport challenge - 8 September

And Animal Windfest - UK windsurfing and kitesurfing championships at Sandbanks Beach 12 --15 September.

Graham Shaw, Head of Marketing and Tourism, Borough of Poole, said: "This year's programme will certainly show everyone that something special is happening in Poole right now. To receive such significant sponsorship support from our business partners fully endorses our commitment to developing events within Poole. Almost £100,000 has been secured for 2002 and our sponsors have all implied that as long as we deliver and meet their expectations, their support will continue for three years, which means a £1/4m events package Poole".

Full details of all events are available on www.pooletourism.com