Arrr! Pirates take over Poole Quay for summer fun

A whole Arrr-my of pirates descended on Poole Quay on Saturday 20 June to mark Harry Paye Day, a day to celebrate Poole’s maritime history.

Organised by the Pirates of Poole, the event was a fundraiser that encouraged visitors to don their best piratical outfits, and the quay was covered in pirate-themed decorations.

After a midday pirate parade, there was a fancy-dress competition for the best pirate outfit. Meanwhile, a live cannon was fired to mark each hour.

Visitors enjoyed live music, stalls, pirate-themed decorations and food and drinks from the various pubs and kiosks along the quay.

The day is named after Harry Paye, a privateer from 1400s who the intercepted hundreds of French and Spanish ships to avenge an attack on his hometown. The Pirates of Poole have been marketing Harry Paye Day since 1926, making this year the 100th anniversary of the event.

One of the organisers, Brian March, said: “Thank you to everybody who helped out at Harry Paye day 2026 for all your hard work.

“So far, I’ve heard nothing but excellent feedback (aside from one person who said that the cannons scared their dog).

“The pirates of Poole could not exist without everyone’s help and hard work.

“Rest assured we are already planning the rest of this summer’s shenanigans.”