I WAS recently pondering the identity of the BCP area, fed up with the notion that what is now a single place is still referred to as three separate places within its singular name (even the weather app now shows my location as Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole), so thought why not take a modern approach to our not-so-new-anymore conurbation and ask AI to create a name to encapsulate this unique place.

I asked Chat GPT to ‘create a new word to represent Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole based on its geography and history’ and got some interesting results:

1) Harboureach

This combines harbour, reflecting Poole’s significant maritime history, with reach, suggesting the expansive nature of the conurbation that stretches across the historical counties of Dorset and Hampshire.

It also hints at the reach of the area’s influence, from its early history to its current status as a vibrant unitary authority.

2) Threewaves

This name reflects the confluence of the three areas, Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole, much like waves converging in the sea. It also pays homage to the coastal geography that defines the region.

3) Bloomharbour

Combining the blooming parks and gardens that come to life in spring with the significant harbours of the area.

AI can provide us with food for thought, BCP is one place now more than ever and will only continue to consolidate into the future.

For locals, different areas are still distinct but that is just the nature of being local to anywhere in the world, one street is always different from another. What do we want to be seen as from the outside and how can we make it benefit us?

James H

St Albans Avenue,

Bournemouth