Exhibition to mark 85 years since Dunkirk evacuation

Set to launch on Wednesday, April 30 in Poole, the event titled "Dunkirk 1940: Our People’s Stories" will be a month-long commemoration of Poole's significant role in the evacuation. The Poole Maritime Trust has organised this town-wide tribute, which will include several free exhibitions and events for the community. One of the features will be the "Our People's Stories" exhibition at GATHER, The Dolphin Poole, which will run from Wednesday, April 30 to Sunday, June 1.

This will explore life in Poole during the war and the contribution of the women from the Military Women’s Royal Naval Service, the Women’s Royal Volunteer Service and the Holton Heath Cordite Factory. The "Poole at Dunkirk" exhibition at Lighthouse Poole will also run during the same period. It will delve into the stories of individuals and vessels involved in the Dunkirk evacuation.



Alongside historic photographs and memorabilia, the exhibition will feature new videos that explore the events of the rescue of more than 320,000 men from the beaches of Dunkirk. The Thomas Kirk Wright, one of Dunkirk’s "Little Ships," will also be on display at the RNLI Old Lifeboat Museum, although opening hours are subject to weather and volunteer availability. The celebration will also mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

On Thursday, May 8, retro swing vocal group, The Fifinellas, will perform at The Dolphin’s GATHER event space. Poole BID is inviting business owners to participate in a VE Day store window display competition from Friday, May 2 to Sunday, May 11. Jack Hawkins, trustee and committee member of Poole Maritime Trust, said: "When people talk about the Dunkirk spirit, they need to look at Poole.

"This is probably the biggest exhibition that we’ve ever undertaken." Carmen Davies, community manager at The Dolphin, said: "It’s important for us all to remember the brave people of Poole and celebrate their contribution to our local and national history." The exhibition and its events have been organised by Poole Maritime Trust in collaboration with The Dolphin, Lighthouse Poole, RNLI, Poole BID, The Keep Museum Dorchester and the National Trust Brownsea Island.

.