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Jan 18, 1200
A new port is flourishing in Poole
Poole has the second largest natural harbour in the world (after Sydney Harbour) and as such was an ideal place for early settlement due to good links with Europe via the sea generating trade oppurtunities. -
Jan 18, 1289
Poole is given a charter
This charter granted a small measure of freedom from feudal rule by the Lord of the Manor and permitted the people of Poole to elect six burgesses to form a Borough Council. -
Jan 18, 1348
Black Death reaches Poole
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Jan 18, 1377
French burn part of Poole
Whilst the advantages of the natural harbour are clear to see, it also left Poole vulnerable to attack. -
Jan 18, 1405
Army of Spaniards and Frenchmen attack Poole (not for the first or the last time!)
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Jan 18, 1433
Poole is made a staple which allowed it to export wool
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Jan 18, 1453
Market Town and Port of Poole allowed two annual fairs
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Jan 19, 1524
A wooden platform is erected at Poole and cannons are mounted on it
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Jan 19, 1545
Fort is built on Brownsea Island
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Jan 19, 1568
Queen Elizabeth grants Poole a new charter
This new charter made Poole independent and gave the population control over their own affairs -
Jan 19, 1574
A census indicates that Poole has a population of 1,373
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During the Civil War Royalists attack Poole but are defeated
Poole supported the Parliament during the Civil War and in the summer of 1643 a 600 strong Parliamentarian army set out from Poole and six weeks later laid seige to the castle. However they were unsuccessful so chose to withdraw. However, Poole and Lyme Regis remained the only two towns in Dorset not controlled by the King. -
Poole suffered an outbreak of plague
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Ships start fishing off Newfoundland and Rope making industry commences
Ships from Poole started to fish in the fish-rich waters of Newfoundland. Right up until 1815 Poole enjoyed a period of unprecedented prosperity as a consequence. It is estimated that by 1802 there were 350 ships in the Poole Newfoundland fishing fleet. This generated huge income for local people and combined with the newly incepted rope industry saw Poole being to grow rapidly. -
New Town Hall is built
By this time the advantages of the new industries are being witnessed and Poole is a prosperous and growing town, as evident today by the huge Georgian houses and public buildings. -
Census shows Poole's population has grown to 9,276
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A new Customs House is built in Poole
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St James Church is built and fishing off of Newfoundlanf goes into steep decline
The final defeat of Napoleon in 1814 provoked rapid declining in Poole's once thriving fishing industry. Throughout the Napoleonic wars trade had flourished in Newfoundland as other European countries had relied on Poole for supplies of dried meat. However peace meant that the French and Americans could also now fish the waters, consequently taking over the services once provided by Poole, spelling the end of trade. -
First Wooden Toll Bridge is built
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Period: to
First Wooden Toll Bridge is in use
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Private water company is formed to supply Poole with piped water
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Wooden Toll Bridge replaced with Iron Swing Bridge
The steep gradient of the wooden toll bridge caused problems for horse drawn carriages and so had to be replaced by the Iron Swing Bridge which was in operation right up until 1927 when the existing lifting bridge was built. -
Period: to
Iron Swing Bridge in operation
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First public library opens in Poole
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Poole Park opens
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Population c. 19,000
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Electric trams begin running
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First cinema opens
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Existing Lifting Bridge Built
The lifting bridge was built to replace the Iron Swing bridge, making it the third bridge to be built on site. -
Period: to
Existing Lifting Bridge serves Poole
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Civic Offices built
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Last trams run in Poole
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Dolphin Centre and General Hospital opens
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Dolphin Pool opens
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Arts Centre opens
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Investigation and design work for new bridge commences
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Period: to
Planning and grant application process for Twin Sails Bridge
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Waterfront museum opens
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Government drops scheme - not seen as a priority
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Bridge re-planned and Government accept proposal
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Grant of £14.14 million towards project awarded
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Environmental studies commence
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TWAO planning permission granted
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£9.96 million from Regional Infrastructure fund awarded to the project
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Construction on the Twin Sails Bridge commences
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Period: to
Construction of Twin Sails Bridge
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Finishing bridge, constructing roads and test lift
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Population c. 141,000
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Public opening of the Twin Sails Bridge???
