What’s On in BCP Libraries This May

Looking for something fun, interesting, or social to do this month? BCP Libraries (Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole) have a wide variety of events throughout May for all ages and interests — many of them are free and drop-in friendly!

Here’s a helpful guide to what’s happening. Mark your calendar, bring a friend, and enjoy your local library.

🌼 Month-Long Highlights

• Local & Community History Month: Special displays in all libraries

• British Library Exhibition: Unearthed: The Power of Gardening (Christchurch)

• Writer’s Trail (Broadstone)

• VE Day Heritage Display (Bournemouth)

• The Great Tail Trail (Boscombe, Bournemouth, Castlepoint, and Christchurch)

📅 Daily Events by Date

Thursday 1st

• 2:30–3:30pm – Winton: VE 80 Day Afternoon Tea

Friday 2nd

• 10am–12pm – Hamworthy: Meet Your Councillor – Peter Cooper

Saturday 3rd

• 10am–12pm – Charminster: Star Wars Craft Drop-In

• 10am–4pm – Christchurch: Maypole-Themed Children’s Crafts

• 10am–12pm – Bournemouth: VE Day Colouring Activities

• 10:30am–12pm – Hamworthy: Win on Waste

Monday 5th

• 📌 Libraries closed for Bank Holiday

Tuesday 6th – Saturday 10th

• Broadstone: National Hedgerows Week – Displays & Activities

Wednesday 7th

• 11am – Bournemouth: Talk on St Michael’s Loft – A Tudor Room

• 3–4pm – Boscombe: Bring a Book Bookgroup

Thursday 8th – Friday 23rd

• Christchurch: VE Day Display

• 10am–1pm – Canford Heath: Family History Society Drop-In

Friday 9th

• 10:30am – Creekmoor: Poetry Club (Upton Country House)

• 11:15am–12:15pm – Canford Heath: VE Day Ukulele Singalong

Saturday 10th

• 10am–12pm – Canford Heath: Plant & Book Sale + Spring Fayre

• 10:30am–12:30pm – Ensbury Park: VE80 Day Coffee Morning

Monday 12th – All Week

• Mental Health Awareness Week

• Explore Reading Well titles in all libraries

Wednesday 14th

• 2–5pm – Oakdale: Garden Open Afternoon (Entry by Donation)

Thursday 15th

• 2–4pm – Christchurch: RNLI Talk – 200 Years of Stories

Saturday 17th

• 2–3:30pm – Poole: Meet Author Alex Stone – Mental Health Week

• 10:30am–4pm – Bournemouth: Interactive Microscope Event (All Ages)

Monday 19th – All Week

• Dementia Action Week

• Explore Reading Well for Dementia titles

• 11–12pm – Creekmoor: Launch of “Memory Lane” Group

• All Week – Boscombe: Elmer Treasure Hunt Drop-In

Tuesday 20th

• 2–3:30pm – Parkstone: Scrabble Club – All Welcome

Thursday 22nd

• 10–12pm – Canford Heath: Community Action Network Info Session

• 10:30–11:30am – Tuckton: Talk – Georgian England Journey

Friday 23rd

• 10:30am–12pm – Parkstone: 3Cs Coffee & Chat with Author Mary Van Coller

Saturday 24th

• 10am–12pm – Charminster: Elmer Crafting Session

• May 24–31 – Multiple Libraries: Crafts & Activities

  Locations include:

  • Springbourne: Butterfly & Bee Crafts

  • Christchurch: Dinosaur Crafts

  • Creekmoor: Elmer Fun

  • Hamworthy: Bird Puppets

  • Oakdale: Suncatchers

  • Poole: Elmer Celebrations

  • Kinson: Fun with ‘Kinson Krafters’

  • Bournemouth: Under the Sea Crafts

Monday 26th

• 📌 Libraries closed for Bank Holiday

Tuesday 27th

• 2:30–3:30pm – Winton: Local History Meeting

• May 27–31 – Various Craft Drop-Ins at:

  • Canford Cliffs: Pirate Crafts

  • Charminster: Fishy Crafts

  • Westbourne: Badgemaking

  • Winton: Elmer Crafts

Wednesday 28th

• 10–11:30am – Broadstone: Nature Makers (Ages 5–8+)

• 3–4:30pm – Boscombe: Natural Paints Talk & Demo

• All Week – Castlepoint: Make a Whale Drop-In

Thursday 29th

• 2–3pm – Charminster: Angry Birds Story & Craft

• 2–3pm – Tuckton: Lego Dinosaurs (Ages 2–12)

• 2:30–4pm – Ensbury Park: Pottery Painting (Fee Applies)

• 12–4pm – Highcliffe: Sea Creature Suncatchers

• 11:30–12:30pm – Poole: Biscuit Decorating (National Biscuit Day)

Friday 30th

• 10:30–12pm – Parkstone: Basket Weaving (Children)

• 2:30–4pm – Canford Heath: Spring Wreath Making

Saturday 31st

• 10:30–12pm – Parkstone: Basket Weaving (Children)

📚 Helpful Tips

• 📌 Some events require booking – check with your local library.

• 🍪 Crafts and refreshments are included in many activities.

• 🎉 Everyone is welcome, and many events are suitable for all ages, including family-friendly and senior-friendly sessions.