Words on the Downs
Words on the Downs poetry from hawkinge
primary
school
junior
school
langdon
primary
school
lydden
primary
school
community
primary
school
barton
aycliffe
portal vale
view
house
school
primary
school
churchill
school
community the
Foreword Up on the Downs is a Heritage Lottery-funded Landscape Partnership Scheme that works with partners and local communities to conserve and celebrate the iconic landscape of the Dover and Folkestone area. For Words on the Downs, I have been lucky to be involved in finding ways of using this landscape to inspire pupils from eight local schools to write poetry. Some of our sessions took us to the new education shelter at Samphire Hoe where we explored the landscape, seascape and history of the site as subjects for our poems. Other sessions took place in schools, where pupils used their own experiences of visiting the local area and their immediate environment as inspiration. I have been truly impressed by the quality of the imagination and observations that fed the poems, and the immediacy and vibrancy of the results. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I have. Vicky Wilson www.vickywilson.org
Contents hawkinge primary school Up on the Downs on a foggy day in February
8
barton junior school Up on the Downs adventures
16
langdon primary school Samphire Hoe in March
26
lydden primary school What we saw... and didn’t see... up on the Downs
40
aycliffe community Samphire Hoe in May
56
primary
school
portal house school Samphire Hoe on the day they discovered
an unexploded WW2 bomb on the cliffs vale view community Samphire Hoe in June
primary
the churchill school Up on the Downs adventures
68
school
74 90
school primary
By Lewis Saunders
The air is as quiet as a ghost town at sleep. The leaves are as crispy as a crisp packet. The mud is as squishy as lemon juice. The trees are as bare as plain biscuits. The fog is as white as snow. The grass is as green as an alien’s hair. The mist is like a ghost in disguise. The wind is as fierce as a tornado. The adventure trail is a slippery as a snake. The benches are as hard as bricks. The rope is as rusty as an old car. The ground is as wet as a napping tsunami. Three friends squish and play in the chocolate-sauce mud. By Chloe Horne, Brook McColvin and Emily Perry
9
hawkinge
Up on the Downs on a foggy day in February
The wooden bridge is as brown as a coffin. Chains swing menacingly like ghosts haunting their victims. Car lights stare into your soul like knowledgeable friends. The leaves drip as the spirits squeeze through. The grass is as rough as newly cut wood. Trees loom like twisting tornados. Poison ivy weaves through their branches like slimy snakes. Cliffs are like sharp teeth digging into flesh. The sky is as misty as a ghost in a cemetery. The sea looks as terrifying as a tsunami. The beach is as long as an anchor’s chain. Children jump through muddy puddles like lambs in spring.
hawkinge
Teachers stalk imposingly like hawks. The children are as horrible as hyenas and as mean as misers. They roar as loudly as ferocious lions. Fog covers the landscape like black smoke travelling through the air. By Jamie Lee and Luke Murrum
school
By Alastair Maxwell and Ben Want
The trees are as tall as giraffes. The sky drips like a tap. Leaves are like soft cushions. Water is as cold as ice. Berries are like jewels gleaming in the watery sunlight. The mud is like a soggy blanket. Thorns are as sharp as dragons’ teeth. The bark feels like a dragon’s back. Hills are as green as emeralds. The beach is as wide as a snake. I’m shivering like a tree trembling in the wind.
primary
primary
school
By Harry Dean, Ashton Perry McLeod and Jimmy Tonkiss
The ground is as wet as the ocean floor. Trees are as tall as skyscrapers. Bark is as rough and green as a snake’s skin. The teachers stalk imposingly like eagles. Children’s screams are as piercing as a fork on a blackboard.
hawkinge
The fence is like a barrier to freedom. The puddles are like shattered glass. The fog is as thick as steam from a kettle. The wood is as old as dinosaur bones. The mud is as squidgy as chewing gum. The posts are as white as pearly snow. The litter bin is as smelly as a cess pit. The children sound as loud as a herd of elephants.
By Bipasa Gurung
10
11
The mud is as sticky as bubblegum. The ball is as blue as a summer sky.
Children play wildly while the trees swish like tornadoes. Children scream as loudly as roaring tigers. Children slip on the mud like penguins on ice.
The air is as cold as frost. Pebbles are as smooth as glass.
The berries are dotted with drops of water like rings of rubies and diamonds.
Dead leaves are like chocolate fudge cake. Thorns are as spiky as nails.
Thorns are as spiky as tigers’ claws. The grass is as muddy as a pigsty. The sky is as misty as a ghost in a cemetery chasing after us. Birds drift through the fog like cobwebs. The wood is as brown as a coffin. Car lights stare into your soul. Leaves drip as the ghosts squeeze through. The grass is as rough as splinters digging into your skin. We children slide down the hills like penguins. By Kelsey Furness and Benjamin King
My bow is as white as a wedding dress. Kids scream as if it’s a theme park.
primary
By Amy Scott
school
Berries are as juicy as grapes. The grass is as clear as a teardrop.
By Keya
hawkinge
hawkinge
primary
school
Leaves lie on the floor as if they don’t know what they are doing. Thorns are as sharp as lions’ claws. The grass is as wet as seaweed.
The air smelled like a pine air-freshener. Leaves were as soft as summer rain. The mud was a sticky as a melted marshmallow. The grass was as green as an emerald. The trees were as rough as a cheese grater with bark as brown as a chocolate bar. Branches in the distance waved like ghosts. The children ran hectically like mice let out of a cage. By Daisy Lamberton and Sophie Robson
12
13
Twigs are as sharp as daggers. Thorns are like witches’ teeth. The net is a booby trap for unwary children. The fence posts are as straight as a troop of soldiers. Trees in the fog are as faint as ghosts with bark as rough as a crocodile’s scales. The grass is squidgy like clay. The grey sky whispered to the ground like a child telling a secret. By Liliana Meakings
Leaves floated like feathers and birds fluttered like butterflies. Mud squelched as if we were in a pigsty. Dead leaves rustled like opening a chocolate bar. school
The rain sounded like a shower tapping on the tiles. The grass smelled like flowers in the spring. Ripples in the puddles looked like a shattered mirror. Twigs snapped like crunching crisps.
primary
By Lenny Atherton, Jude Farnham and Adam Hall
Children ran around like chickens in a coop while trees swayed in the mist like ghosts.
Some of the children roared like lions in the zoo. By Zine Ameen
Mist swirls round the trees like dragons’ smoke encircling its prey. The netting is as intricate as a spider’s web. Trees are dripping like a giant tap. Railings are as cold as ice. The thorns are as spiky as a Mohican. The rope is as strong as a war machine. The sky is as grey as an old man. The fence guards the fields like a line of proud soldiers. The wood is as slippery as toad slime. Ivy twists like a terrifying rollercoaster. The turf is like a green velvet carpet. The boys are laughing like elephants. By Owen Foord Green, Ashton Sutton and Lewis Wade
14
15
hawkinge
school primary hawkinge
A lonely tennis ball sat in the deserted puddle like a child locked out of his home. The mud was as sticky as chewing gum. The pond was as mossy as the roof of an abandoned shed. The football was as flat as a poppadum, crushed by someone’s teeth. The posts were as imposing as a statue. The fence was as crooked as a country road. The tree was as rough as a crocodile’s scales. The water dripped down my neck like a child tickling me. Teachers stalked us like stealthy thieves.
school junior
By Alfie and Danny
I rode a big, bumpy camel into the huge sandy desert. I scrambled across the quicksand. I followed tyre tracks to a huge pyramid. I crept inside and found a puzzle to open the tomb. I hopped across the pieces but stood on the wrong one! An arrow shot from the wall as fast as lightning and missed me by a whisper. I started again and the tomb door opened. I grabbed the sapphire sphinx and slid off down the secret passage. I climbed back on my camel and rode away. By Jasmine K. and Kizzy
17
barton
Up on the Downs adventures
I fell down the White Cliffs and landed in a big marshmallow. I jumped across a pit of Mars bars. I slithered across the ice with a penguin. I zigzagged over a pit of zombies. I swung on a vine into a dark cave. I slithered across the slimy floor. I went flying into a pool of electric eels. I wiggled through a pit of blood. I watched the total eclipse. I jumped off a branch and landed in a lake. I hopped across crocodiles’ heads to a shipwreck. I dived into a sea of melted chocolate.
By Libby and Tommi
We dived into a multi-coloured marshmallow. We slid down a chocolate fountain. We climbed a giant gummi bear mountain. We got lost in a chocolate sea with talking dolphins. We swung across a lollipop vine. We found a sherbet cave with a pink monkey. We balanced on a strawberry shoelace. We jumped over piles of blue caterpillars. We rode a pink and purple leopard. We met a candyfloss giraffe. We ate a stick of rock with White Cliffs through it! By Chelsey and Ellie
The sun is as bright as a torch and the clouds are as fluffy as candyfloss. The wind is as silent as a snowman. The trees are as tall as giraffes, with bark as wrinkly as an elephant. The grass is as green as a parrot. The twigs are as tough as a wrestler and the leaves are as brown as a cat. The bench is as old as a record player. Tiny daisies are as white as snow and yellow dandelions are like miniature suns. Our lovely teacher is as kind as a kitten. By Emily and Jasmine M.
18
school barton
barton
I climbed the White Cliffs and fell into a lake of icy water. Suddenly it began to snow‌ I slid across the frozen water and skidded over to an island. I jumped on to a mouldy log. I swung across vines and hopped over scaly snakes. I got lost among huge trees. I tiptoed across a rickety rope bridge. I zigzagged through a nest of tarantulas. I jumped over a pit of poisonous snakes. I ran through a tiger’s den, trying not to get eaten! I climbed an enormous tree and balanced on the thin branches. I fell into a pit of lava. I ended up in the maze of tunnels at Dover Castle!
junior
By Daniel and Silva
junior
school
I jumped up an old tree to watch the monkeys dancing their crazy dance. I climbed up the vines to escape vicious crocodiles. I clung on to a stripy tiger to see if I could ride him. I hopped over a pile of slithering snakes that were trying to eat me. I sneaked past a sleeping gorilla as enormous as an elephant. I slithered across a pool of mud as brown as melted chocolate. I balanced on stepping stones to cross the dark blue lake. I ran over an old rusty bridge to a jungle as green as mint. I zigzagged through a tangle of venomous spiders. At last I was back at Samphire Hoe!
19
The clouds were as soft as a teddy bear. I walked over to the mouldy tree and saw a birds’ nest as cosy as a bed. I walked over to the bench, as mouldy as the moss on the trees. Suddenly a bug appeared, as small as a daisy. Leaves were falling and the tree top was as crumbly as brown sugar. By Jade
I jumped out of a spiky tree. I climbed up a steep, solid mountain. I clung on to a frayed rope. I hopped over a burning ball of lava. I sneaked past a brown, furry bear. I got lost in a smelly, slimy cave. I slithered across the bird-feathered ground. I balanced on a hanging bridge. I zigzagged through a field of cacti. I ended up at Samphire Hoe! By Chelsy and Lauren
20
school
By Jaime-Page and Kealian
junior
By Charlotte and Jessica
I climbed up a dragon’s back and dived into a pool of souls. I slithered across the ice and balanced on the edge of the White Cliffs. I ran across the candy cane lane and zigzagged across jelly beans. I got lost in the deep, dark, spooky castle and found the lake of Black Cats. I slid down the rickety slide and landed in a river of melted marshmallows. I came to Candy Land, with trees like lollipops!
barton
school junior barton
The wind is as cold as the Ice Queen’s breath. Leaves are as crunchy as cornflakes. Trees are as tall as a spotted giraffe with bark as rough as dragons’ scales. The grass is as flat as a pancake. The mud is like chocolate sauce. The fence is as squared as SpongeBob. Benches are as rusty as old bikes. The flowers are as beautiful as horses. We children are as cheeky as monkeys!
21
barton
junior
Up on the Downs on a beautiful morning! By Jack and Kyle
I climbed up a magical tree. I jumped down into a pool of chocolate sauce. I clung on to the edge of a pink wafer. I hopped over some squiggly snakes. I sneaked past a sleeping giant in his cave. I got lost inside a gooey pink marshmallow. I slithered across an iced bun. I balanced on a spoon and dived into a tub of sherbet. I ran over some Jaffa cakes. I zigzagged through a lollipop forest. I slipped in some jelly and woke up in Samphire Hoe! By Courtney and Tegan
school
school
The cars are as noisy as a band. Birds are chirping like our school choir.
By Ben and Tyne
junior
Trees are as old as time and as tall as giraffes. Their bark is as scaly as a dragon. Leaves are as chunky as chips.
I climbed up a jelly bean mountain and jumped into a chocolate river. I hopped over the humps of Nessie and clung on to a rickety old rope. I got lost in a horrid haunted house and sneaked past creaking armour. I balanced on a tightrope over a pit of lava and slithered across shiny, sparkly cold ice. I ran over pits of flaming fire and zigzagged across evil spirits. At Western Heights I saw the ghosts of soldiers.
I jumped on to a giant marshmallow as comfy as a cloud. I climbed up a chocolate mountain as high as Mount Everest. I clung on to a strawberry-lace vine as rough as bark. I hopped over chocolate-chip stepping stones as big as boulders. I sneaked past pythons as poisonous as ivy. I got lost in a lollipop forest as spiky as knives. I slithered across melted ice-cream as freezing as ice. I thought I was going to have a normal day at Samphire Hoe!
barton
The fields are as big as a giant. The mud is like bumpy hills.
By Jayden and Kian
22
23
barton
junior
I dropped down into the bubbling lava with its evil noises. I hopped on to the ancient bridge and zigzagged across its creaky wooden planks. I clung on to the last rope then slithered across the slimy stone path. I sneaked past the terrifying, scaly, fire-breathing, sleeping dragon – just carefully enough to survive. I hopped across hot stepping stones of lava. I climbed the sides of the sticky volcano and eventually jumped in. Without a doubt I saw the light of a fluffy marshmallow king. He threw marshmallows at me while balancing on a liquorice pole. I got hit on the head so I didn’t see a thing. I woke up with a bang on Samphire Hoe beach!
I jumped on to some stones to see what was on the other side of the cave. I balanced on a thin piece of rope that wobbled with every step I took. I sneaked past a hungry-looking sleeping snake, hoping he would not poison me from his dreams. I ran over the soft wet clouds as they swept away. I got lost in a jungle where spirits live, wild and free. I hoped over Nessie’s humps as the waves ran past me as fast as a cheetah. I climbed the sugary White Cliffs to escape the angry skeleton pirates. By Ella and Gabriela
By Harvey and Megan 24
25
school
By Charlie and Keane
junior
school
By Calvin and Hayden
I got lost in a gooey chocolate marshmallow. I balanced on a candy cane over a cup of hot chocolate. I jumped into a strawberry milkshake with a massive straw. I climbed up a scrumptious brownie mountain. Yum! I ran across a scorching stove. I slithered through a melted chocolate bar. I sneaked past a big round candy monster. I hopped over a giant biscuit. I clung on to trees as crunchy as popcorn. I saw ants as tiny as peas. Suddenly I was back at Samphire Hoe!
barton
The grass is as pointy as a hedgehog. Clouds are as soft as pillows. Trees are as tall as giraffes. Bark is as wrinkly as an elderly woman’s face. Leaves are as crunchy as crisps. Snails are as slimy as aliens’ spit. Crossing the grass is as hard as trudging through snow. We children are as crazy as animals in a zoo.
school primary
By Jake and Tom
langdon
Samphire Hoe in March
The tunnel is as wide as a dragon’s mouth. The grass sways like flags in the wind. People like ants walk their dogs on the harbour wall. Thorns are as sharp as knives. The pavement is as rough as a snake’s scales. The sky is as blue as a blueberry Slush Puppie. The air is as see-through as a ghost. Leaves are as prickly as pineapples. The gravel is as slippery as ice. Cliffs are as steep as a slide. Clouds are as fluffy as hairballs. The barbed wire is as sharp as razor blades. Sticks are as delicate as glass vases. The sea shines like a diamond. The train rumbles past as loud as a giant’s belly.
The tunnel is as dark as liquorice. Clouds are as soft as feathers and as white as milk. The ground is the colour of lime and peach. Grass is as tall as trees and as thick as bushes. The wind is as cold as ice-cream. Stones and thorns are as sharp as daggers. The path is as bumpy as cornflakes. The sun shimmers as bright as gold. Trains speed by as fast as rockets. The sea is as sparkly as diamonds. The white cliffs stand tall like giants. By Grace and Holly
27
langdon
Thorns are as sharp as porcupines. Twigs are as delicate as glass vases. Footprints are as deep as the sea. The paving is as rough as a snake’s skin. The sheep are as fluffy as cotton wool. The cliffs are as sloped as a slide. The bench is as rough as a dragon’s scales. Our shadows are as dark as the tunnels. By Jack and Jess
school
The grass is as yellow as straw, as long as snakes. The plants look like cabbages – yum, yum, yum!
By Luke and Seth
primary
primary
school
Clouds are as soft as silk. The wind is as cold as ice-cream and the sea is as cold as ice cubes.
The tunnel is as dark as a cave. Grass is as multi-coloured as a butterfly. The fence is as rickety as a wonky pavement slab. Leaves are as prickly as pineapples. Grey sheep are as still as statues. Cliffs are as tall as Mount Everest. Birds zoom round like aeroplanes. Abseilers are like flies on a piece of mouldy bread. The sea shimmers like a diamond. The waves are as choppy as an alligator’s mouth. Ripples wrinkle the water.
The tunnel is as wide as a dragon’s mouth. Footprints look like they have been made by Martians. The sun is as golden as the crown jewels and as bright as flames. Grass is as green as a lime. Clouds are as soft as silk and as fluffy as a pillow. Paths are as winding as snakes. Cliffs are as tall as giraffes and as still as statues. The air is as transparent as a ghost. Rocks are as white as marshmallows and as rough as sandpaper. The sea ripples like grass and is as sparkly as a diamond.
langdon
The tunnels are as dark as the night sky and as wide as dragons’ mouths. The train sounds as loud as a rocket ready to launch.
By Madison and Sophie
28
29
The tunnel is as dark as the night sky. The sea glistens like a diamond and whispers like breath. The birds fly as high as the clouds. Trains rumble by as fast as leopards. Cliffs are as tall as mountains or skyscrapers. Clouds are as fluffy as candyfloss. Paths are as slippery as ice cubes and as swirly as swings. The metal fence is as silver as stars. Puddles are as dirty as dinosaurs’ slobber. The sky is as blue as dolphins. The fence is rough as a dragon’s scales. The signs are as pointy as a crocodile’s teeth. The fields are as wide as space. Our skin is as pink as pigs.
school primary
By Annie and Romilly
The tunnel is as wide as a dragon’s mouth. The trains are as fast as bullets. Butterflies are as pretty as princesses. Twigs are as delicate as glass vases. Grasshoppers are as bouncy as bungee jumpers. Boulders are as big as giants’ gobstoppers. Seagulls are as white as paper. Cars are the colours of rainbows. Benches are as holey as Swiss cheese. Fences are as wiry as electricity. Metal bars are as grey as rainclouds. The sun is as hot as fire. Paths are as long as ropes. Boats are as heavy as stone. Sheep are as soft as wool. Cliffs are as sloped as a slide. Mr Jones is as tall as Big Ben. We children are as cheeky as chipmunks.
langdon
school primary langdon
The tunnel is as black as liquorice. Clouds are as fluffy as marshmallows. The air is as transparent as a ghost. Leaves are as curly as cabbage. Plants are as spiky as porcupines. Cliffs are as rocky as mountains. The climbers’ jackets are as shiny as apples. Sheep are as bouncy as cotton wool. The grass is like pins, prickling my legs. The gravel is as rough as tree bark. The breeze is as cold as an ice cube. Boats are as tiny as ants. The sea shines like glass. We can see as far as infinity.
By Ellie and Mim
By Ashton and Tristan
30
31
langdon
By Joshua and Oliver
h uge cliffs tower as tall as the Shard. o range diggers are as orange as oranges! e veryone is having fun!
By Henry and Reuben
Cliffs like giants’ teeth with moss like plaque. A wooden sign like a lollipop lady’s. Sheep on the hillside like splashes of white paint. Yellow lichen on the path like freckles.
Rough grass recreates the Sahara desert in bumps and lumps. The sea glistens, sheep bleat and the cool breeze touches our shoulders. Our day at Samphire Hoe.
Abseilers as brave as astronauts. Toddlers like tiny insects. Climbers with jackets as bright as the sun. Bare bushes like tufts on a giant’s head.
The path is as stony as the Rocky Mountains. The train is as fast as lighting or a bullet. Our day at Samphire Hoe.
Puddles like an ocean for ants. A lost sock as lonely as the sun. Children searching for similes like animals foraging for food. By Sam
The water ripples like a belly, jiggling along. The muddy bog looks like a World War I trench. Our day at Samphire Hoe. The bird poo splatters the bridge like a paintball. Birds squawk like gossiping girls. Our marvellous day at Samphire Hoe. By Izzie and Maddie
32
school
A pipe like an unstoppable cannon. A digger as dangerous as a beastly animal.
primary
primary
school
A train as fast as a kangaroo. A bridge as strong as a mountain. Water as dirty as a pigsty. A ditch like the moat of a castle.
s mall beetles scuttle through the grass like a maze. a train speeds by as fast as a bullet. m ud on the path is like a World War I trench. p eople passing by are as old as my mum. h ungry children’s tummies rumble like bulldozers. i nside it is as warm as lava. r ed woolly hats glow as bright as fire. e gg shells are as crunchy as Rice Crispies.
langdon
Twigs as sharp as snake fangs. Grass as bumpy as a camel’s back. Cliffs as rough as pot holes. Men look as small as Martians.
We saw the cantering, galloping sheep. We heard seagulls screeching with joy. We smelled the freshness of the cold spring air. We felt the breeze blowing and the sun battering our faces. We wished it was summer.
We see the vast white cliffs of Dover, the glistening sea. We feel the warm sun beaming down and the cool breeze ruffling our hair. We hear the buzz of a plane and waves crashing against the sea wall. We smell the salty stench of seaweed. We smell the sheep. We wish we could splash in the sea or fly to France. By Asha and Sophie
By Jenna and Ruby
34
school
By Jenna, Ruby and Sophie
primary
By Emily and Sage
Clouds as fluffy as candyfloss and ground as hard as iron. Grass as spiky as monsters’ hair or fangs and thorns as sharp as daggers. A train speeds by like a racing car, squealing like a drill. Diggers flash like lightbulbs. The cliffs are white as snow.
langdon
school primary langdon
Boats on the horizon look as small as peas. The sea is as blue as a sapphire. Grass ripples like waves on the sea. Tangles of brambles look like witches’ dens. The concrete is as hard as bricks. White cliffs loom as tall as the Eiffel Tower. Sheep poo is like chocolate chips. The train speeds by as fast as a bullet. Clouds are like candyfloss. Birds chatter like girls in a playground. The mud is as squelchy as melted chocolate. This is our day at Samphire Hoe!
35
The grass is as sharp as daggers. The path is as jagged as a knife. Sheep are scattered across the grass like ‘X marks the spot’ on a treasure map. Boats on the horizon are as small as ants. The signpost is like a policeman directing traffic. Moss creeps up the wood like a python strangling its prey. Flags flutter like the Queen waving at her people. Cliffs are as pale as skulls. Children scream as if they are on fire.
By Declan and Isaac
school
We saw thorns as spiky as Mrs Evans’ eyelashes. We heard the wind as loud as a hurricane. We touched grass as prickly as a hedgehog. We wished it could be summer. We saw workmen on the cliff, as small as oompa loompas. We heard bees buzzing in the blue sky. We touched the dagger-like concrete. We wished we could be free. We saw a bench as ancient as an Egyptian tomb. We heard a train shriek like excited children. We touched wood as rough as a mother’s hair. We wished we could be Miley Cyrus. By Leigh and Martyna
By Declan and Isaac
36
primary
By Asha
The moist, warm air blew our hair. We saw the plane racing over. We heard waves crashing against the pier. The white cliffs of Dover are the best all over.
langdon
school primary langdon
Dry grass crackles underfoot like empty crisp packets. Wooden benches rot over the years, beaten by strong weather. Birds tweet incessantly, like children in a playground. Rocky, jagged paths zigzag like an old man’s crooked teeth. The sea ripples like a ridged crisp. Grey gravel crunches loudly like a cat crunching biscuits. Seed heads are as crispy as fish batter. Cliffs are as white as bunnies’ tails. Murky pools of sludgy brown water ripple gently. The train rumbles like an avalanche as it gathers speed to cross the Channel.
37
Twigs as sharp as an adder’s fangs. The sun beaming down like a thousand fireflies. Puddles as muddy as swamps. Cliffs as large as Jupiter. Bushes like tufts of hair on a bull’s head. Clumps of grass like the sea’s roaring waves. Water as shiny as a sapphire. Trains like giant blue arrows. Wind slashing my face like the blade of a sharp knife. I wish I could walk across the sea to France. By Jake and Tyler
By Louis and Will
Grass feels like a thousand pins on your hands and is as dry as a desert. The sun is as bright as a million fireflies. The concrete is as rough as sandpaper. The train rumbles like an earthquake and the wind howls like a werewolf on guard. The pond is as green as an emerald and the painted logs are as black as the night sky. Thorns are as prickly as cacti and sheep are as fluffy as the clouds. Our shadows are as sharp as deadly daggers. By Natalie and Olivia
38
school primary
By Gracie and Kacey
The bench is as splintered as a dragon’s tongue. The concrete is as hard as brick. Grass ripples like white horses on the sea, or sand dunes on a windy beach. The riverbed is as dry as a desert. Smoky ferries are tiny as ants and the train speeds by like a bullet. The moss on the railings is like a snake suffocating its prey. The cliffs are as steep as tower blocks and as tall as the Eiffel Tower.
langdon
school primary langdon
Train tracks as winding as a helter-skelter. Water as murky as south-eastern fog. Bushes as spiky as a thousand pins in your body. Grass as sharp as knives. Clouds as fluffy as marshmallows. The sky as blue as a hundred sapphires. Thorns as prickly as cacti. White cliffs as tall as barriers in the sky. Children running around as if a bomb was about to explode.
39
Happy stars sing When rain falls down The sunset drowns
school
The moon glistens with glee Sharp silky stars disappear Darkness breaks when the sun shines
primary
The golden sun splashes on the sea White cliffs glimmer in sunlight Grey stones ripple down By Eva and Harry
lydden
What we saw… and didn’t see… up on the Downs
Green grass growing Flowers sit so colourful Trees swaying and rough
Green grass swaying Daffodils as yellow as the sun Birds soaring through the still sapphire sky Stones rattling, covered by soft moss Wafting trees plagued by dry leaves Birds twittering noisily, gliding towards the clouds Innocent snowdrops All making my life peaceful By Charlotte
41
Sycamore seeds floating around. Lying on the ground, a leaf will be found. Birds tweet up, we sing down.
Green grass is so soft, growing slow and strong all over, feeding so many.
I feel happy.
Sun so bright I’m blind. Giving life to everyone. How fragile we are!
Smooth grass, hard stones. Delicate flowers fall from the sky. Daffodils shoot up into beautiful trumpets. Moss is soft when it grows. Birds fly high in the clear air, tweeting all day in the blue. I feel relaxed and tired, ready to fall asleep with a crowd of birds.
primary
By Abi and Fraser
Ants scuttling fast. Ants going through the jungle. How fast is an ant?
lydden
primary lydden
By Thomas
school
So small, round and feisty, ants are strong and they scuttle. Are you feeling sad?
school
Green grass swaying. Green grass swaying around. Do you like swaying?
When cliffs fall they are violent. If you go too near you will get hurt. They make a roaring sound – are you feeling scared? Rocks are towering and clashing as darkness falls.
By Isobel and Lily By Fergie, Kaden and Tom
42
43
By Anna
school
I collect up the love then let it free. The breeze is speaking to me. Good bye. By Ella
primary
Fluffy clouds in sapphire sky, golden sun makes clouds turn white. Rough bark, crispy leaves, golden daffodils, emerald grass, diamond raindrops, silky foam catkins. Buzzy bees collect nectar to make golden honey and say goodbye.
lydden
primary
school
By Aisha
Sapphire sun, emerald grass, silver dew, ruby red leaves, whispy clouds, pink petals, pointy wood, chocolatey too, waves whispering away in the sun, shimmering stars, swooping seagulls.
Sun glitters, rain falls, stars glisten, clouds whisper. Escaping the sun, the moon is silver in the sky. As the sun rises, the moon will set. In the sapphire sky the golden sun glistens over turquoise fields. In the salty sea, fish swim softly. Upon the cliffs we scuttle scared back to our homes.
lydden
Gold daffodils grow in the shimmering sun. Fluffy clouds awake and move calmly across the sky. Birds and gulls swoop over the glistening sea. Catkins dangle from the tree. People discover snail trails in the grass. Rabbits run in the fields while foxes sleep.
Now it is night, we are snuggled up tight. Stars overhead are bright. By Kian and Noah
44
45
Ruby red roses start to open, fluffy white feathers fall from the sky.
We saw bandages and overalls draped over railings. We saw torn British flags hanging down the Grand Shaft. We saw half-eaten apples, squishy and brown. We saw soggy, mouldy sandwiches left in the dungeons.
Busy bees buzz and collect nectar from the flowers, and say good bye. By Beau
Daffodils are golden like the sun. Spring time is here! Daffodils grow at this time of year. Chalk from the cliffs falls as the waves crash. Every spring, daffodils grow. Ruby red roses blossom by the lake. Springtime cakes warmly bake. Daffodils will go on for ever. By Lucy
We didn’t see soldiers at Western Heights but we saw where the soldiers had been. We heard screams at every corner. We saw bullets scattered on the window sills. We saw broken, rusting swords and sling bags on the rocks. We found the ID of soldier Mr Thomas McMan. We didn’t see soldiers at Western Heights but we’ll never forget their brave deeds!
lydden
lydden
primary
school
Birds tweet above my head. Velvety moss grows before my eyes.
By Ffion
We didn’t see dragons up on the Downs but we saw where the dragons had been. We saw footprints in the sand. We saw broken teeth scattered across the ground. We felt hot fiery breath on our faces. We heard wings flapping softly. We heard moaning cries of dragons flying away. We didn’t see dragons up on the Downs – so I still don’t believe! By Tommy
46
school
We didn’t see soldiers at Western Heights but we saw where the soldiers had been.
primary
As I walk through the woods, sun glistens all around me.
47
We saw blonde strands of hair caught on the rocks. We saw scales from their tails littering the beach. We saw sparkly bracelets and pearl necklaces strewn on the shore.
We found WW2 helmets and mines ready to blow up. We found hydrogen bombs and rifles ready loaded.
We didn’t see mermaids at Samphire Hoe but we still believe they were there!
school
We heard the weak voices of mermaids singing. We heard the splashing of scaly mermaid tails. We felt long golden hair slipping through our fingers.
We heard screams as if we were travelling through time. We slipped on ectoplasm soldiers had left behind. And sometimes we would step on a bow and arrow. We didn’t see soldiers at Western Heights but we found history!
primary
We didn’t see mermaids at Samphire Hoe but we knew where the mermaids had been.
We didn’t see soldiers at Western Heights but we knew where the soldiers had been.
By James
lydden
school
We didn’t see soldiers at Western Heights but we saw where the soldiers had been.
lydden
primary
We didn’t see mermaids at Samphire Hoe but we saw where the mermaids had been.
By Jade
We didn’t see the phoenix at Phoenix Forest, but we saw where the phoenix had been. We didn’t see zombies in Zombie Wood but we saw where the zombies had been. We saw rotting body parts along the path. We saw scattered bones among the leaves. We saw blood dripping from the trees. We heard loud groans and felt cold zombie flesh. We didn’t see zombies in Zombie Wood but we were scared all the same! By Keyvan
We saw ash from the fire where the phoenix had burned. We saw scorched branches and tree houses eaten by the flames. We didn’t see the phoenix at Phoenix Forest, but we saw where the phoenix had been. We saw claw prints along the paths. We saw feathers clinging to the leaves. We didn’t see the phoenix at Phoenix Forest, but we saw all the evidence we needed to believe. By Louis and Paolo
48
49
We saw rotten body parts scattered across the path. We saw trails of blood flowing down the tree trunks. We saw guns on the floor from dead soldiers. We heard loud groaning from the depths of the forest.
We saw broken horns and half-eaten unicorn cupcakes. We saw glitter from the unicorns’ manes. We saw broken horseshoes along the shore. We saw strands from silver tails floating on the ocean.
We didn’t see zombies in Zombie Wood, but we’ll never ever go back there again!
We didn’t see unicorns up on the Downs but we heard where the unicorns had been.
We didn’t see mermaids at Samphire Hoe but we saw where the mermaids had been. We saw ripped silk clothing floating on the tide. We saw scales from broken tails scattered on the rocks.
We heard neighing and whinnying. We heard distant trotting and galloping. We heard the faint beating of wings as the unicorns flew away overhead.
primary
By Ayden and Quin
school
We didn’t see unicorns up on the Downs but we saw where the unicorns had been.
We didn’t see unicorns up on the Downs but we’ll never forget the experience!
lydden
school primary lydden
We didn’t see zombies in Zombie Wood, but we saw where the zombies had been.
By Hannah
We didn’t see mermaids at Samphire Hoe but we heard where the mermaids had been. We heard echoes and noises of mermaids singing. We heard splashes of mermaids playing in the water. We didn’t see mermaids at Samphire Hoe but we felt where the mermaids had been. We felt strands of blonde silky hair with gems in it. We felt cracked pieces of gold. We didn’t see mermaids… but we still believe they haunt Samphire Hoe! By Emily 50
We didn’t see water horses at Dover Beach but we saw where the horses had been. We saw claw marks where the horses had scratched the shingle. We saw blood from where the horses had fought over their territory. We saw broken branches where the horses had tried to escape. We heard screams of people the horses had tried to hurt. We felt watery breath! Water horses are real! By Jack 51
We saw old rusty bombs and bows and arrows. We heard creaks like footsteps on the floors. We saw a door fly open and almost come off its hinges. We saw bloody bandages and ripped and shredded beds. We smelled the olden-day toilets full of gunk.
We saw spare bullet shells shot a hundred years ago. We saw rusted helmets crushed by the path of tanks. We saw shot sandbags on the fortress floor. We saw shards of shrapnel wedged in the ground. We saw exploded bunkers with bricks scattered everywhere. We saw blood-soaked tissues caught on the walls. We heard the crackle of broken radios. We felt the spirits of the dead send shivers down our spines. We felt as if we were being watched.
By Riley
We didn’t see mermaids at Samphire Hoe but we saw where the mermaids had been. We saw long golden strands of mermaid hair. We saw sparkly scales from mermaid tails. We saw beautiful silk layered on the shore. We saw shimmering bracelets and necklaces caught on the rocks. We heard the weak voices of mermaids’ songs. We heard the splashing of the mermaids gently swimming. We felt the gentle tap of tiny hands. We didn’t see mermaids at Samphire Hoe but this is as close as we will come to believing! By Jessica
We didn’t see soldiers at Western Heights but this is the closest we have been.
primary
We didn’t see soldiers at Western Heights but this is what we saw.
By Ryan and Thomas
We didn’t see a phoenix in the ancient woods but we saw where the phoenix had been. We saw a phoenix’s golden feather flutter through the air. We felt a phoenix’s magic tear brush our face. We heard the echo of a phoenix’s cry. We smelled a singed branch from a burning day. We felt ash gone cold long ago. We saw precious claw prints left in the ground. We heard the crack of a shell in an abandoned nest. We didn’t see a phoenix in the ancient woods but we saw where the phoenix had been. By Harry
52
school
We didn’t see soldiers at Western Heights but we saw what they left behind.
lydden
school primary lydden
We didn’t see soldiers at Western Heights but we saw where the soldiers had been.
53
We saw fresh claw marks where the tiger had released its anger. We heard the sound of low growling from behind the trees. We felt warm leaves, where the tiger had been sleeping peacefully. We saw a leftover animal, from when the tiger had eaten dinner. We heard the sound of thudding paws against the earth. We smelled the stench of dung drift towards us. We saw whiskers and fur, from where the tigers had been fighting.
We saw medkits and sandbags scattered on the ground. We found grenade shrapnel and grenade pins. We found tank shells smashed through bunkers. We found bayonets attached to guns. We didn’t see soldiers at Western Heights but we still remember the loyal service they gave. By Jacob and Niall
We didn’t see a tiger up on the Downs – but now I know where they are hiding! By Mia
We didn’t see unicorns up on the Downs but we saw where unicorns had been. We saw bushes stripped bare of berries. We saw holes in the trees from unicorns’ horns. We smelled warm unicorn dung. We heard hooves trotting and thumping. We saw shiny silver hair from unicorns’ manes. We saw hoof marks in the mud. We felt sticky snot on the branches. We saw magical rainbow trails scattered around the forest. We didn’t see unicorns up on the Downs – but were they just hiding? By Niamh 54
school
We saw Spitfires shot down by anti-aircraft guns. We saw radios clipped to ripped uniforms. We saw half-used magazines with live bullets. The smell of gunpowder was all around.
primary
We didn’t see a tiger up on the Downs but we saw where the tiger had been.
lydden
school primary lydden
We didn’t see soldiers at Western Heights but we saw where the soldiers had been.
55
school primary community
By Rebecca-Rae Clark
A tunnel as old as a fossil Dandelion clocks as spiky as beards Bees as stripy as zebras Leaves as purple as plums The sea as colourful as a queen’s jewels Snails as swirly as tornadoes Clouds as fluffy as cotton wool Grass as long as a horse’s tail Samphire Hoe is as beautiful as gemstones.
aycliffe
Samphire Hoe in May
A tunnel as dark as the night sky Flowers swishing like a dragon’s tail Sea as swirly as glitter Waves jumping like dolphins Clouds as soft as candyfloss Wind as loud as thunder Grass as smooth as clean hands Ground as hard as stone A lighthouse as tall as a giraffe A boat creeping like a mouse Shadows as dark as a black dog Children screeching like seagulls Samphire Hoe as good as finding gold
By Ruby-Rose Barnes
57
By Justin Pulko
Fence as rough as a brick Grass as spiky as the Joker’s hair Lighthouse as tall as the Eiffel Tower Snail as slow as a boat Rock as hard as the ground Metal as shiny as the sea Buoys floating like balloons By Anthony Smith
58
school primary
By Ella Inglis
community
The leaves are as smooth as a rock. The snail shell swirls like the sky. The flowers are as yellow as the sun. The rocks are as smooth as jelly. The sea is as nice as Miss Bader!
aycliffe
community
primary
school
By Ella Sunter
In the distance, France looks as long as a snake. A magpie’s wings flap like a baby duckling trying to fly. Blades of grass look like upside-down vines and smell like fresh flowers. The wind travels as fast as a racing car. A woodlouse creeps past like a mouse. The cliffs are as tall as the Eiffel Tower. The sea is as bright blue as a peacock’s feathers, sparkling like a blue diamond. Leaves look like cabbages in a bag in the shops. Samphire Hoe is as pretty as Mrs Cox!
aycliffe
A grasshopper as green as grass A bee as stripy as a zebra, buzzing like a fridge A snail as swirly as a tornado A magpie as black as my coat Dandelions as yellow as the sun Stinging nettles as sharp as thorns The wind roaring like a tiger The sea as blue as eyes, glimmering like diamonds
59
By Thalia Precious
60
community
A fence as cold as the wind Cliffs as white as clouds Grass as green as seaweed Sea as blue as a shining diamond Sky as smooth as a stone Flowers as red as Aycliffe school jumpers By Liam Lewis
aycliffe
The leaf is as green as a grasshopper. The snail shell is like a tornado. The sea is as blue as the sky. The buttercup is as yellow as the sun. The rocks are as smooth as grass. The bench is as bumpy as the white cliffs. The boats are as tiny as mice. The sea is as nice as Miss Bader!
primary
By Harry Beeden
aycliffe
community
primary
school
By Rebecca Lane
The waves jump like a crocodile. The clouds are as soft as a pillow. Seagulls swoop like aeroplanes. Cliffs are as high as the sky. The lighthouse is as blue as the sea. The breeze is as cold as water. Stones are as hard as bricks. Buoys are as bouncy as rabbits. The sea is as shiny as white piano keys. The tunnel is as dark as a train.
school
Petals as dry as dead plants As hard as stone, as soft as paint Leaves as soft as mice As smelly as rats, as hard as rocks Clouds as soft as feathers, as black as a coat Flowers like girls waving their hands As spotty as a cheetah, as rusty as a red car Samphire Hoe as sparkly as the sea
61
school
By Kirsty Scrivens-Stoakes
primary
Leaves are as rough as lettuce. Boats are as small as toy birds. The tunnel is as dark as the night sky. A magpie flaps as fast as a running zebra. Cliffs are as white as fluffy clouds. The grass is as spiky as a hedgehog’s prickles. Flowers are as yellow as bananas. Daisies are as fragile as butterflies’ wings. The sea is as blue as our Aycliffe school cardigans.
The fence is as rough as metal. The wind whistles. Leaves are as silky as snow. Grass is as sharp as blades. The sea is as blue as the sky. Across the sea the land lies like a snake.
aycliffe
By Macey Williamson
aycliffe
community
primary
school
By Jamie-Lee Chicane
Cliffs are as tall as dinosaurs. The path is like a chocolate bar. The lighthouse is as bright as the stars. Cliffs are as white as daisies. The snail is as swirly as a tornado. Grass is as green as goo. Leaves are as purple as plums. The sea is as wavy as the wind. The tunnel is as old as a fossil. The sea is as shiny as gems. Samphire Hoe is as good as finding gold!
community
Boats float like footballs. Cliffs are as big as mountains. Trains speed as fast as cars. The fence is as rough as a hedgehog, Sharp like a shark’s jaws. The sea sparkles like a diamond. Fish are as scared as ants.
By William Bracq
62
63
A snail shell as swirly as a tornado Wood as smooth as glass A bee as stripy as a zebra Daisies as white as snow Grass as soft as a pillow and as spiky as the Joker’s hair Sea as blue as the sky Sea as big as a giant Sea as sparkly as a star Samphire Hoe is as beautiful as Dover beach.
school
By Aaric Morley
primary
A snail shell as swirly as a tornado Wood as smooth as glass A bee as stripy as a zebra Grass as spiky as the Joker’s hair Sea as blue as the sky Daisies as white as snow Sea as big as a giant Grass as soft as a pillow Sea as sparkly as the stars Samphire Hoe as pretty as pebbles
community
By Imogen Freeman
Flowers as yellow as a bee Bees as stripy as a zebra Boats as small as ants Sea as twinkly as stars Wood as rough as mountains Samphire Hoe is as beautiful as gems.
By Dominic Billings
aycliffe
school aycliffe
community
primary
The lighthouse as light as a light bulb Flowers as yellow as the sun Leaves as curly as cabbage Cliffs as white as feathers Stinging nettles as spiky as a bird’s beak Sea as shiny as a spoon A snail as swirly as a seashell Daisies as white as clouds Wind as cold as snow Sea as stripy as a zebra Snakes as slippery as benches Samphire Hoe, a brilliant place to go
By Amy King
64
65
school
By Nirubiga Karunakaran
A bee as annoying as a fly Cliffs as large as hotels Wood as hard as cement Sea as calm as you in bed. A woodlouse burrows into the ground like a dog burying its bone. Across the sea, the land is as small as a robin. In the distance, boats look as long as a train. Gravel feels as bumpy as pebbles on the beach. The tunnel is as wide as a giant’s mouth.
By Alexis Carney
66
aycliffe
By Jaydn Slesser
primary
Flowers as yellow as bananas Sea sparkling like a crystal ball Spiderwebs as silky as mermaids’ hair Daisies as fragile as butterflies’ wings Grass as spiky as a hedgehog’s back Cliffs as white as clouds Sky as blue as Aycliffe school jumpers
Cars as still as statues Daisies as white and delicate as paper Grass as silky as mermaids’ hair and as spiky as spears Sea wriggling like a worm, as sparkly as a disco ball In the distance the boats look like tiny toys.
community
By Naomi Wehrle
aycliffe
community
primary
school
The sea is as pretty as Miss Bader. A snail’s shell is as curly as a tornado. Flowers are as yellow as fool’s gold. Grass is as spiky as the Joker’s hair. Birds are as calm as the sea. Mountains are as green as grasshoppers. A bee is as stripy as a zebra. Metal is as smooth as a fish. Samphire Hoe is as beautiful as rubies.
67
WW2 bomb on the cliffs
Samphire Hoe the day they discovered an unexploded
portal
portal
house
By Jaden (aka Shakespeare III)
school
The calm rippled sea is like a feathered wing. The shotgun train flies across the tracks. The hill is a grass-covered trampoline. France is faint in sight. The ferry is a ghost ship in the distance. The three-eyed cliff overhangs us, saying ‘Hello, beautiful world’. Ghost footprints cover the mud. Ghostly shadows come and go like a speed train. Peace and quiet are scary. The turned sea reflects the winter-cold sky. A WW2 bomb explodes in the cliffs.
By Nick
house
school
tunnels are dark as death the wind is a dark shiver of voices a ghost pier sinking mud has swallowed many lives death walks the earth we go fishing for ghosts ghosts walk in pictures a train shoots through the tunnel like a bullet one after another died on this cliff BOOM! last train from Folkestone!
70
71
I saw rocks floating, then there it was – a strange shape slowing flying out of the face of the grey and green cliffs. It was a ship with guns and a massive jet engine like a fire-breathing dragon. The ship started to descend and land. I ran over to it without being spotted and went inside. Its technology was not from Earth – it was a spaceship. I could hear voices talking in a strange language. Then I saw that the men in black were working with the aliens. It was the start of the alien invasion. It was the end of the world. By Callum
72
school
I sneaked off, and what I saw was amazing, dazzling, mindblowing.
house
school
As Samphire Hoe was cordoned off we all thought it was a bomb. Then the people in SUVs dressed in black suits told us to leave.
portal
By Callum
portal
house
Tunnels in the cliffs like a gun barrel A lighthouse looming in the background A ferry faint in the mist Shivering birds battle the cold of the wind Sea as blue as the sun that shines down on it In the distance a strange shape that might be land A lone puddle like a creature emerging from the ground to eat us Footprints left behind like ghosts walk beneath us Birds chatter as if trying to communicate with us Out in the sea a bright white line like a portal to another dimension Is the bomb in the cliffs a dud or is it armed and ready to detonate?
73
school primary
By Daniels, Milan and Samuel
view
community
The dog bowl filled with water looks like the sea. The sign is as shiny as gold. Cliffs are as white as chalk. The butterfly is as blue and beautiful as the sky. The sea is as blue as bubblegum. The grass is as green as a coat. The sun is as bright as SpongeBob. By Mackenzie
vale
Samphire Hoe in June
Sea as big as a giant, jumping like fish. Pebbles as sharp as a shark’s bite. Water the colours of a rainbow, moving like the sky. A bottle as green as grass. Rock samphire as crunchy as crisps. Sea as wavy as snail shells. Cliffs as high as Dover Castle or Big Ben. Wind as strong as a rock. Grass dancing like a break dancer. A train as fast as a purple flash. The grass as thick as spaghetti. The tunnel as dark as coal.
75
By Hannah and Maddie
76
By Jenika
school primary
The grass is like hair blowing in the wind. The sea is as colourful as a rainbow and as wet as spit. The table is as hard as a rock. The tunnel is as dark as a door. The train runs as fast as the wind. France is as blue as the sky. The grass is as green as a tree. The sky is as blue as the sea.
community
The white and brown rock is as soft as a pillow. The plastic bottle is as wrinkly as an old man. The lighthouse is as beautiful as the kingdom of Arendelle. The sea is as blue as Elsa’s castle and as deep as the Titanic. Pebbles are as sharp as a knife. Clouds are as fluffy as candyfloss. The sea is as colourful as a rainbow and as rough as a tornado. The sun is shining like a crystal. France is as beautiful as a snowflake.
By Ollie S. and Sophia
view
By Grace and Kaci-Marie
A butterfly as blue as a sapphire Pebbles as sharp as sharks’ teeth Green grass blowing like witches’ hair Cliffs as big as Godzilla Sky as blue as the sea Sea as colourful as a rainbow Flowers as blue as a butterfly’s wings Wind blowing as hard as the Hulk The pavement as dusty as a sandstorm The bridge as loud as children
vale
school primary community view vale
The ambulances are as yellow as mouldy teeth. Cliffs are as bright as clean teeth. The sea is as colourful as a rainbow and as fierce as a boxer. The wind is as strong as a punch man. The bridge is as brown as chocolate. Grass is as green as a lizard. Clouds are as fluffy as candyfloss. The train is as fast as a cheetah. The buoy floats on the sea like a yellow boat. The dog is as brown as coffee. Rock samphire is as wavy as seaweed. The tunnel is as dark as a cave. Flowers are as delicate as fairies’ hats. France is as far away as the end of the Channel Tunnel.
Pebbles are as sharp as a cheese grater. Cliffs are as white as teeth. The grass is as silky as a green blanket. By Meka
78
primary
school
They saw: pebbles as sharp as knives a ship as big as a giant a bench as old as a rusty tin a sign like a gravestone. They left. By Kian and Peter
community
The ocean is as blue as a whale. The lighthouse is as big as the sea. The feather is as fragile as a snowflake. The sea is as rough as a tornado and as noisy as a boy.
They described: a lighthouse as blue as a building wind as fast as a racing car grass as green as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles weather as cold as ice.
The wind is as cold as the sea. The dog is the colour of coffee. Footsteps on the bridge are as loud as thunder. Cliffs are as white as toothpaste and as big as a monster. The sun is as bright as a rainbow. The tunnel is as dark as the night sky. The sea is as big as the world.
view
Footsteps on the bridge echo like thunder. The plastic bottle is as wrinkly as an old man. The wall is as hard as stone. The wood is as dirty as a loft.
vale
view
community
primary
school
By Abbie H. and Ashleigh
Old people came to Samphire Hoe.
vale
Buttercups as yellow as the sun Wind like a tornado An ocean the colour of a rainbow Clouds as puffy as a pillow A bench as wooden as a toy Stones as sharp as dinosaurs’ bones Grass as soft as a blanket Gigantic cliffs as white as teeth
By Enya
79
vale
By Arda, Kasey, Ruby, Ryan and Timea
80
school primary
The grass is as wavy as a bush. The sky is as wide as a dinosaur. The bridge feels like a hedgehog’s prickles. Rocks are as sharp as a dinosaur’s horrid teeth. The ocean is as rippled as an ice-cream. The grass is as silky as soft hair. Clouds are as white as a polar bear. The sign is as hard as a gravestone. The grass sways like water.
community
By William M.
By Aaliyah, Lewis, Libby, Oliver W., Reuben and Vinnie
view
Pebbles are as sharp as a cheese grater. A bench is as green as a turtle. The table is as hard as a rock. Cliffs are as big as GODZILLA! The lighthouse is as blue as the sea. The sea is as rough as a tornado. Clouds are as soft as marshmallow. The wind is as strong as a hurricane. The grass is as tall as me!
view
community
primary
school
By Brianna
The lighthouse is as old as a fossil. Flowers are as pink as a pig. Waves crash together like a storm. The train is the colour of the deep, deep sea. Footsteps on the bridge are as loud as thunder. The bunkers are as high as a kite. Clover is as soft as a bunny’s tail. The wind is as powerful as a bull charge. Trees wave as wildly as hair. Grass is as green as the mould on the cliffs. The pier is as long as a dinosaur’s tail. Rocks crunch like crisps.
vale
Stones are as sharp as sharks’ teeth. Grass is as green as a horrifying lizard. Cliffs are as white as an ice flake. Signs are as creepy as gravestones. Stones are as bumpy as a cliff. Clouds are as fluffy as candyfloss. The wind is a fierce as a tiger.
By Yidiel
82
The wind is as cold as a freezer and as strong as a giant. The bench is as sticky as a lollipop. Feathers are as fluffy as cat’s fur. Clouds are like candyfloss, floating in the sky. Stones are as bumpy as eggs. The snail shell is as big as a nose. The grass is as silky as mermaids’ hair. The sea is as sparkly as a jewel and as rough as a storm. The bench is as smooth as paper. The train is as fast as a cheetah. The healthy hay flowers are like mini pink trees. The water sparkles like fairy dust. The workmen are as bright as oranges. The tunnels are as old as fossils and as dark as midnight. Our post-it notes are as yellow as gold. By Dannielle and Milly
school primary
Rock Samphire is as delicate as tiny Christmas trees. Healthy hay flowers are scattered like a broken necklace. Soft tor grass is as bouncy as a springy trampoline. The wind is a strong as a mighty hurricane. A spotty caterpillar moves like the bumpy sea. Snowy-white clouds are as fluffy and soft as candyfloss. Minty grass is as spiky as stinging nettles. The wooden fence is as rough as sandpaper. Birds are as black as a stormy night. The sea sparkles like fairy dust. Dandelions are as gold as the shimmering sun shining its magnificent light on the sapphire sea. The grass dances in the wind like a superstar on a huge stage and flows like a majestic horse. Workmen are as orange as lava. Children stamp across the bridge like a herd of huge buffaloes.
community
By Lorena and Pepa
view
By Melania and Miska
school primary community view vale
Flowers are as yellow as gold. Plants are as sticky as lollipops. The caterpillar is a wiggly as a snake. Clouds are as black as a witch’s hat. Duck poo is white, like the cliffs. Feathers are as white as snow. The snail shell is as colourful as a tiger. The sea is as cold as ice and as deep as the Gruffalo’s throat.
vale
The wind is as strong as a giant’s breath. Healthy hay flowers are as pink as a baby pig. Horseshoe vetch is as yellow as gold. The cliffs are dirty white, like old trainers. The train moves like a tiger hunting for prey through the tunnel as dark as a forest. Clouds are as black as a witch’s hat. Stones on the path move like water under my feet. Samphire Hoe is as pretty as our mums!
vale
view
The caterpillar slithers like a snake. The caterpillar is as stripy as a zebra. The train is as fast as lightning. Samphire Hoe is as beautiful as fool’s gold. By Corey, James and Tobin
Clouds are as fluffy as cotton candy and as grey as the moon. Gravel is like dinosaur fossils and flowers are like precious gold. Adders sneak through the grass like snipers and the ferry is as faint as a ghost. Leaves are as green as Brussels sprouts and the sainfoin is like a girl’s necklace scattered across the grass. The caterpillar is as slimy as a worm and the children stomp like hungry dinosaurs. John is hot as an oven and Callum is cold as a freezer.
school
The tor grass is as spiky as thorns. The tor grass is as green as the Joker’s hair.
primary
Clover is as fluffy as sheep. Clover is scattered like snow.
By Beth
The path is as spotty as a leopard. The cliffs are as white as teeth. The bench is like a surfboard. Stones are as slippery as ice. The snail is as slow as a slug. The wind is as strong as a wrestler. The wood is as smooth as my hand. The pole is as hard as a giant. A boat at sea looks like a chip floating in a pool of tomato sauce. Samphire Hoe is huge, like the cliffs behind it! By Harry
By Callum and John 85
community
community
primary
school
The wind is as powerful as God’s breath. The wind is as strong as a hurricane.
view
The sea is as blue as God. The sea is as turquoise as a jewel.
Rock samphire is like tiny Christmas trees. The sea is as sparkly as fairy dust. Dandelions are as gold as the sun shining on the water. The ferry is as faint as a ghost. The caterpillar is as spotty as a giraffe and moves like a mermaid. Cliffs are as white as marshmallows. The grass is as bouncy as a trampoline. Feathers are as white as snow. The fence is as rough as sandpaper. Clouds are as soft as cotton candy. Wild cabbage flowers are as bright as the midday sun. Workmen are as orange as a sunset. Birds are as black as midnight. The wind is as strong as a giant. The tor grass is like hair, dancing in the wind.
vale
Sainfoin is as spiky as a tiger’s claws. Sainfoin is as pink as Leah’s coat.
The sky is as light as a sprite. Seagulls shoot down like cannonballs. The lighthouse is as blue as the Caribbean sea. The sea wall is as hard as Bowser’s shell. The wood is as rough as crocodile skin. The bench is like a surfboard. The sea is as turquoise as Azkabanic jewels. Grass dances in the wind like ballet dancers. Snakes slither through the grass like gummy worms. Clouds are as black as Daemonites. By William D.
86
A hut the colour of the night sky. A beautiful white bird soaring through the cotton candy clouds. Flowers the colour of the beaming sun on a summer morning. The sea as furious as a tiger hunting its prey. The sun has gone in. The dog poo is in the bin. Children stomp angrily like dinosaurs. A train calmly clitter-clatters by. Up from the bay the children play in the sun all day. By Lauren
school primary community
By Chloe and Leah
view
By Stanislav
The wind is as strong as a lion’s roar and as cold as the North Pole. Concrete is as grey as our nans’ hair. Cliffs are as white as a polar bear or like teeth spotted with green plaque. The sea laps over the slimy rocks, as blue as bubblegum. A caterpillar as stripy as a tiger slithers like a scaly snake. The grass is as green as the Joker’s hair – or as a grape. The path is as spotty as a cheetah. Clouds are as soft as candyfloss and as fluffy as kittens. Healthy hay flowers are as pink as Leah’s jumper with leaves as spiky as hedgehogs. We hope you enjoy our poem like we enjoyed Samphire Hoe!
vale
school primary vale
view
community
The bridge is like a crocodile’s teeth. The feather is like Harry Potter’s quill. Water moves like a volcano erupting. Flowers are as yellow as gold. The caterpillar moves like the sea. The train is as fast as a blue car. The bottle is as green as a clown’s hair. The bench is like a surfboard. The tunnel is as dark as a forest. The path is as smooth as flowers. The sea is as wobbly as wind. Shelters are as high as the sky. The blue sky moves slowly, like the sea. The sock is as squidgy as dog’s poo. The harbour wall looks like a gigantic boat. Grass smells like leaves. Clover smells like brand new shoes. The cliffs are as tall as a tornado.
The hill is as tall as a giraffe’s neck. The bin is as smelly as a sock. The ferry is as large as an elephant and the train is as long as a tree. By Abbie M. and Zoe
school primary
The fence is as sharp as a shark. The bridge is as strong as a strong man. Grass is as green as William’s coat. The table is brown, like a fox. The cliff is as mouldy as rotten teeth and as steep as a drop slide. The wind is as fierce as a giant’s breath. The sea is as blue as the sky and as shiny as crystal. Sainfoin flowers are as pink as Lauren’s shoes. The false teeth are as yellow as our Post-it notes. The cuttlefish bones are as white as a cloud. The mermaid’s purse is as dark as night.
community
The wind is as strong as a thousand men. Healthy hay flowers are shaped like umbrellas. The feather is as delicate as glass, and the snail moves as slowly as an old man.
By Ashton, Dennis and Dylan
view
The tunnels are like a monster’s eyes staring at his lunch. Clouds look softer than silk. The pier is like an arm stretching into the sea and the caterpillar looks like a miniature tiger.
vale
view
community
primary
school
The sun is like a golden coin. Cliffs are as white as polar bears. The sea glimmers like crystals and the lighthouse is like a Tardis poking up from the hills.
The wind charged like a triceratops. The sea flowed as fast as a velociraptor. The train was as long as a brachiosaurus’s neck. Snakes hid like snipers in the grass, which was as tall as a diplodocus. Cliffs were as white as a tyrannosaurus rex’s teeth. Seagulls soared like pterodactyls. Clouds were as big as dinosaurs. Samphire Hoe was like a scene from Jurassic Park.
vale
The dandelions are shaped like a lion’s mane. The path is like a slithering snake and the carpark is as huge as a museum. Clover is shaped like a lady’s hat.
By Taya
88
89
First published in 2015 for Future Creative and Up on the Downs by Categorical Books, 70 Margate Road, Herne Bay, Kent ct6 7bh Copyright Š 2015 the contributors All rights reserved ISBN 978-1-904662-24-2 Project creation and production by Future Creative www.future-creative-org Photography and design by Nancy Wilson Printed in Great Britain by Lightning Source To order more copies, please email info@categoricalbooks.com