Poole Quay will host the annual Harry Paye Pirate Day on 20 June, a community festival organised by the Pirates of Poole that raises money for local charities. The free event runs from noon to 6pm, beginning with a parade led by the Mayor of Poole. The procession features pirates on motorbikes, bands, visiting pirate groups, and local community organisations.
Live music will be performed on two stages, while the quay fills with traders, food stalls, and traditional games including Aunt Sally and cannon displays. Children can take part in rides, professional face painting, and a best-dressed junior pirate competition. The Pirates of Poole have staged the festival since 1926, making them probably the oldest pirate group in the UK. The group selects local good causes each year and does not take any money for themselves.
Harry Paye was born around 1360 and died in 1419. During the Hundred Years’ War, he received permission from King Henry IV to attack enemy vessels, raiding French and Spanish ships to avenge an assault on his hometown. According to the Pirates of Poole, Paye returned with gold, exotic fruits, and 30,000 gallons of red wine, sharing the spoils with townsfolk and earning the nickname ‘Robin Hood of the seas’.
The Pirates of Poole continue that legacy by channelling proceeds from Harry Paye Pirate Day into one of Poole’s biggest community fundraisers. Entry is free, and the full line-up of music and traders can be found on the organiser’s website.
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