Poole Community

Poole’s award-winning Sandbanks beach will be hosting an exciting new sports and music event in July.

Beach Fest, which will take place between Friday 9 July and Sunday 18 July, will bring together three existing events all currently hosted at Sandbanks.

The event builds on the popularity of the beach polo event which has proved hugely successful over the last two years.

The proposal was made by Johnny Wheeler, organiser of The British Beach Polo Championships which will kick off the 10 day event and include Football Focus before finishing with the Sandbanks Beach Volleyball Festival.

Activities including beach soccer, beach tag rugby and a music event will be held throughout the festival.

Other activities held during the weekdays will be delivered by working with schools and local groups.

Johnny Wheeler, Event Organiser, The Flame Agency, said: "The Flame Agency are delighted to facilitate the Beach Festival. There will be a feast of activities for all to enjoy on the spectacular blue flag beach throughout the week."

The council consulted the Poole Opinion Panel for their views on events during the autumn of 2009 and found 81 per cent of residents felt that events were ‘good’ on Poole’s beaches.

Music, sport and arts were ranked as the top three events people would like to see more of on our beaches.

Clive Smith, Head of Leisure Services, Borough of Poole, said: "Holding events in Poole is an important part of developing our economy and promoting Poole as a desirable visitor location. We are delighted that we will be able to offer residents and vistors of all ages such a wide range of things to see and do over the summer period. We hope it is a real success for all involved and encourages more sport and music events to Poole’s beaches."

An arena used to host major matches for the three main events will be set up from Monday 5 July and public access to the arena will be maintained throughout the event.

The arena will be dismantled from 19 July and the beach will be open as normal from Wednesday 21 July.

Further information will be available on Poole Tourism’s website in due course.