What the heck is a lek?
Males great bustards perform spectacular courtship displays, gathering at a ‘lek’ or small display ground to try to impress the females.
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Set in a Victorian quayside warehouse, with an atrium extension dating from 2007, Poole Museum’s galleries tell the story of the historic maritime town of Poole and its harbour from prehistory to the 21st century.
The centrepiece of the museum is the 2,000-year-old Poole Logboat, the largest Iron Age logboat ever found in southern Britain. It also houses the rudder of the Swash Channel Wreck, with a carved moustached face, believed to be from a Dutch merchant vessel which sank in 1631.
The Poole History Centre provides an invaluable research and interpretation resource in an attached medieval wool hall. Close by is Scaplen’s Court Museum, a medieval and Tudor building with an Arts and Crafts herb garden, which is primarily used as a learning centre and wedding venue
Email: museum@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
Address: Poole Museum, 4 High Street, Poole, BH15 1BW
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Poole Museum receives a £450,000 grant from Arts Council England to enhance its redevelopment project. This funding will support new exhibition galleries, improved digital experiences, increased accessibility, and sustainable practices.
Wessex Museums receives £61,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for project that will redefine Wessex folk arts and traditions.
Read about the Wessex Museums Virtual Collection, 250,000+ artefacts from four partner museums now searchable from one place.
‘Our Museum Journey’ blog follows the progress of Poole Museum’s redevelopment. Catch up on the latest behind the scenes as the first blog is all about packing up and storing artefacts.
Males great bustards perform spectacular courtship displays, gathering at a ‘lek’ or small display ground to try to impress the females.
The great bustard has a dignified slow walk but tends to run when disturbed, rather than fly.
The hen-bird on display at The Salisbury Museum was one of the last great bustards to be eaten in the town!