2010 is Bournemouth's 200 year anniversary. 

There will be interesting events on throughout the year under the name "Bournemouth 200", keep an eye on this page for the latest news and listings of what's on. There have already been plenty of events suggested, here's a selection:

•    Rallies of car clubs.
•    Display of sailing crafts from around the globe & navy boats in the bay.
•    Resurrection of past customs & annual rituals i.e. May Day, Midsummer Day.
•    Secondary school ‘Grand Bournemouth Final’ art design.
•    School kids research someone famous living in their area.
•    Film Festival.
•    ‘Any Questions’ show on Radio 4 could be invited to broadcast from Bournemouth to coincide with the Bicentenary event.
•    80th anniversary of Westbourne Orchestra.
•    BBC /Meridian e.g. Songs of Praise, Antiques Roadshow, Gardeners Show, Question Time etc.
•    Sandcastle competition/Sand Sculpture (Weymouth Link).
•    Showcase local artists.
•    Community Play portraying the history of town.
•    An exhibition at Russell Cotes about the last 200 years. This could be in several venues across the borough. Each venue could offer the history for a different area or theme.
•    The planting of a line of trees like Jacarandas (one for each year) to represent the celebrations and involve schools & future residents.
•    Bournemouth Today: wildlife discovery days at Bournemouth’s Nature Reserves
•    Temporary public art installations relative to landmarks.
•    A schools treasure hunt (tie in with Bournemouth 200 Trail).
•    Cinema screen on the beach (season of films & actors with Bournemouth connection i.e. Christian Bale).
•    Sporting events & guided walks.

The Bicentenary Celebrations will run throughout 2010 and below are some projects already underway:

• The Rifles Freedom Rights, Ceremony & Civic Party.

• JP Morgan BSO Bicentennial Anthem & children’s competition to write a poem set to music.
• Hotels Picture Archive.
• Dance South West Projects.
• Bournemouth Arts Club 90th Birthday in 2010.
• Bournemouth University BA Hons Events Student Projects.
• Arts Institute/Bournemouth Film School Event.
• Promoting running and physical activity in schools with Liz Yelling (double Olympic marathon athlete)
• Bournemouth Chinese School Events including: Kung Fu performances, Lion and various custom dances, music from professional musicians from China, Origami, women beads jewellery, families Lantern Making and Chinese custom dress fun workshops.