Blackpool Connecting Stories Anthology 2021 - Secondary by literacytrust

The National Literacy Trust is a registered charity no. 1116260 and a company limited by guarantee no. 5836486 registered in England and Wales and a registered charity in Scotland no. SC042944. Registered address: 68 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1RL Supported by Arts Council England Cover illustration © Tallulah Smith, 2021 Design and content © National Literacy Trust, 2021 Design by Tallulah Smith All enquiries around this anthology should be directed to: contact@literacytrust.org.uk

Connecting Stories: Blackpool: Blackpool’s future

The National Literacy Trust is a charity dedicated to improving reading, writing, speaking and listening skills so that everyone has the best possible chance of success in school, work and life. We support communities, schools and early years settings and campaign to make literacy a priority. The Connecting Stories campaign is a project funded by Arts Council England to increase children and young people's interest in reading and writing and to promote diverse voices and stories. Connecting Stories provides a programme of exciting events, such as virtual author visits, creative writing competitions, book donations, and activities for families to enjoy.

With Thanks... We would like to thank Arts Council England for funding and supporting the Connecting Stories project. We would also like to thank all of the publishers and authors across our Hubs, who generously supported this anthology, and extend warm thanks to the numerous community champions and corporate volunteers who have kindly donated their time to help bring this anthology together: Atlantic Books

Hannah Fogg

Cambridge University Press

Charlotte Kim

Emerald Publishing

James Kingett

Faber & Faber

Jenna Lee

Pearson

Michael Leyland

Saffron Alexander

Marykate McGrath

Sally Atkinson

Jan Papworth

Gaganpreet Kaur Basra

Allison Potter

Sheena Carman

Tahera Sultana

Dawn Claypole

Emile Tambeh

Rhonda Drever

Felicia Tennant

Margaret Duff And finally, thank you to all of the young people who took part, it is their stories that make this anthology so special.

A word from our Hub Manager, Steph Wood I am delighted to have had the pleasure of reading entries from Blackpool. All entries included in this anthology have really made the local voices from Blackpool shine and are a testament to the creativity of children and young people here. Traditionally, anthologies don’t focus on particular area, nor do they often include the voices of children or young people. Yet these are the very groups of people with the most creative ideas and the most relevant experiences! Reading, writing and telling stories is a great way of connecting with other people and other worlds, helping you to explore your imagination and express your emotions. The theme of the competition was all about the future of Blackpool and it is clear that the future is in safe hands with so many talented children and young people, whose voices and ideas have the power to build a brighter Blackpool. I wish you as much joy reading this anthology as I had in helping to collate it, and above all I hope it convinces you of how important it is to read the stories of others, and to tell your own story. Best, Steph Wood Get Blackpool Reading

Contents Winning Entry

Sophie J, 13

Runner Up

Amy D, Yr8

All Entries

Bethany D, 12

Max V, 11

Jessica B, 11

Holly A, 11

Zara J, 11

Zara J, 12

Olivia D, 11

Ruby T

Hollie C, 12

Lexi HC, 12

Jake P, 11

Millie D, 12

Chloe W, 14

Harry E

Maja G

Amelia H, 12

Aliyah A, 12

Max N, 11

Jayden G, 13

Holly W, 11

Ava H, 11

Jake R, 13

Riley G

Jake H, 13

Chloe W, 14

Charlotte L, 11

Abbie C, Yr7

Abigail T, Yr7

Billie G, Yr7

Blake H, Yr7

Ebony S

Evangeline M

George Y

Harleigh W, Yr9

Jess F, Yr7

Madison B, Yr7

Mckenzie C, Yr7

Mia W, Yr7

Nika R, Yr9

Robert H, Yr7

Shahed S, Yr9

Summer F, Yr7

Tyler B, Yr7

Taylor F

Willow S, Yr9

Paige R, Yr10

Chloe R

Participating Schools

Sophie J, 13 Winning Entry I dragged myself up the prom, my legs aching , my back tender. In the distance I see what was once the Coral Island arcade. Most letters had fallen off the building , somehow still keeping it history. The ivy growing along the side of the doors was slowly over taking the entire building , slowly wrapping around the smashed windows. I slowly approached the place, and saw my sad reflection staring back at me in a million pieces through the window. I had dark bags under my eyes, and my hair was matted. I looked down at my ripped shirt and bagg y trousers and thought back to when Blackpool was a happy, crowded place. The pavements would be overcrowded with people, and no one would have a single worry. I thought back to when I was younger. I’d be out in the warm summer days with my friends. We’d run along the beach with my old speaker, blasting music and singing our innocent hearts out. We wouldn’t have to worry about anything apart from what time we’d all have to return home. The image flashed through my mind and I was put back into reality. Stray cars, left to rust in the middle of the damaged streets. No seagulls flying over the town, no sound apart from the same, old sad shuffle of my shoes as I dragged myself around. No people. No life. Just silence.

I continued looking at myself in the shattered reflection. My eyes filled with tears as I thought about what Blackpool had become. The virus ended. Everything was perfectly fine. But then it happened. The nuclear war. The war had wiped out most of the population of Blackpool and other towns for a long distance. Those who managed to sur vive knew they wouldn’t be able to live for much longer. Somehow, my bunker worked. Somehow, I sur vived. Why me? I started to remember the feel of his cold hands on my cheek, him telling me everything would be alright. But it wasn’t alright. A world with him gone wasn’t a world I could sur vive in. I watched his breathing become lighter and lighter until it eventually stopped. Remembering the reason I left the bunker, I shook my head and continued my journey. As I got closer to the town centre, I saw more destruction that had engulfed the town. Everything was destroyed, buildings collapsed and rubble everywhere. I looked around and realized. This is what Blackpool has come to.

Amy D, Yr8 Second Place Entry I stood looking at the reflections of the beauty I call my home town in the disturbed water, and with each drop of water that fell from the sky, a cluster of colours danced together. Each colour was mimicked from each ball of light on every wire and post, even on the great tower that stood behind me, freshly painted. Every wall was a canvas filled to the brim with gorgeous art, nothing was as bland as the past but instead as bright as the future. Music blared from large speakers on the old newspaper that spread across the floor; the music was directed to a cluster of people. They were all covered in paint and shiny bits, ones further from the road of lights glowed blue, yellow, green and pink where paint had splattered on their bodies. Each person thrashed around in bliss, people of all races and colours mixed together (not separated by communities). Not one bad word. To know just years ago this wonderland was filled with hate and fear makes me proud of how far we have come. To think that teens would hang around the streets terrorizing others is insane. Why did it take so long for small minded people to open up and accept others ? To accept other communities. To respect other genders.

To respect other humans who are seen as different because of the way they dress, look and act. The lack of respect for others snuffed out the beauty of this town. I am proud of my new Blackpool. I can be open about my likes, beliefs and self without the fear of being excluded from what society sees as okay. Truth be told, as long as you’re not hurting anyone in some way (that being physically or emotionally) then you are free to be who you want. You are free to be yourself. You are free to be human.

Bethany D, 12 Dear Diary, Today is 2050 and the whole pandemic hasn’t got any better. No one’s even allowed to shop for essential things, you have to order and that’s something. From not wearing a mask is illegal, to not being able to breathe is crazy. But a good thing is that we have got advanced technolog y that is reliable. The houses look like some sort of alien flying saucer! 2050 could be better, but you can say that about any other year. The sky always looks like space, even in the summer. I think we will get used to global lockdowns. Bye!

Max V, 11 I like watching the sun rise on the sea. It makes me feel good and when I look around the ice cream and rock shops awaiting someone to buy something (personally I like strawberry rock the most) then I start the adventure back home it’s good because there are a lot of ways to go so it never gets boring the way I go the most is past the tower next to old amusement park it broke down ages ago. And when I got home all the technolog y that was never around when I was younger like floating chairs eye-controlled T V ’s. I go in my room and I hear a weird noise it’s like a rumble I didn’t think it was anything but it happened again downstairs my family were playing a game and the bang was my brother slamming his head on the table and then falling of his chair it was like the floating chair was dancing the way it rolled around I want to get cereal but no one fed the dogs so I did it I tried to get my cereal was not there so I had to go and get some more. What happened next was crazy when I went in the shop they did not have any so I went to the next shop to get my cereal there was none in the next shop either so went home disappointed but what I did not realise is that my brother had all the cereal. So, we would have a duel for them. He was stronger than me so there was only one logical thing to do. The battle started so I pulled out my secret ability........ RUN AWAY I ran as fast as I could and my brother ran after but he ran into a door the cereal was mine and I had it at 10:37. 18

Jessica B, 11 A Brighter Blackpool The blue waves brushed against the soft sand as rubbish was urged into black bin bags. The whole town had come out for a big beach clean. Children took hoverboards to school to help them get there faster. Whilst adults took auto driving cars to work (so they could get 5 more minutes of sleep) on the way to work. The tower had grown 10 meters longer thanks to the newly made building androids. Doctors took days off to go on trips to the beach thanks to new technolog y that could have a successful surgery 99.9% of the time, Notarianni’s had created a new type of ice cream that never got warm, and never melted but was still as delicious as ever. Seagulls flew above the soft clouds and dogs chased automatically moving balls across the sandy beaches. Girl scouts set up camp by the sea, protected by a force field, not letting any water in. Animals who once could walk now have real looking mechanical legs and bones. Blackpool was now paradise; happiness was not in short supply.

Holly A, 11 A Brighter Blackpool Dear diary, I just wanted to say how prosperous I am that Blackpool is satisfactory again! There is not litter at every corner, cigarettes down every street. People are kind hearted again, everyone can be trusted, neighbours are friendly. We are now not called one of the worst places in England, but the best. There are pleasant places to shop with an extremely sizable shopping mall filled with clothes. Food places are a lot posher and well-liked with people coming from everywhere out of town to eat it. Coronavirus is gone which means that people can go places again, visiting friends and family. Sea water is a lot cleaner for people to go in. Homeless people do not shamefully live on the street anymore as charities have been giving millions of pounds to rehome people. Rubbish seems to have gone and now is being chucked into bins! Climate change is being affected greatly as people have stopped producing as many gases which means penguins and polar bears can live safely as ice caps are not melting ! Schools are also being improved with amazing progress. Houses are being renovated and stopping the streets from looking unkempt. Everything is being painted and grime is being removed from everywhere. Everything looks clean like how I wanted Blackpool to be!

Zara J, 11

Zara J, 12 A Brighter Blackpool My uncle tells me of what Blackpool used to be like thirty years ago, since then quite a lot has changed. He tells me what all the streets around town used to look like. When I asked him which one had changed the most, his answer is always, “the road that runs by the promenade. “Uncle Hank says there were only a few scarce trees there when he was a boy. There used to be an ice cream shop called Notarianni’s around the corner from that road, I know it now, but uncle says it moved to the other side of town, along with some of the candy floss stands. “ When I went there, me and my dad used to walk to it, there wasn’t much parking. “He says Lytham Road didn’t have flowerbeds and that there never used to be a public park along the road. I guess things were very dull when he was a boy, now, trees grow only metres from each other down the road and Lytham Park is a very nice place to visit. It has butterflies of all colours nearly all year round, deep lilac and blue ones and the special orange ones that uncle says were very common when he was younger. In the year 2025, my history teacher told me they almost went extinct. Stanley park is also one of my favourite places to go, they have a large play area which I love going to and lots of friendly ducks at the large pond.

Opposite the park, there is Victoria Hospital. It’s a nice place to go for a hospital. I went there once when I broke my arm on a skateboard. It is very clean and has two buildings. Even with staff rushing around, the atmosphere is very uplifting. Once, I passed a ward that read “Covid-19”. We are learning about the pandemic of 201920 in history class as well, though there are only around two new cases worldwide every month now, we still get a vaccine every two years. Yesterday me and Dad went to the beach. The water is crystal clear and it’s always clean and free from sogg y paper wrappers. Plastic wrappers are as common as Olympic gold medals now. Whenever Uncle finds one, he holds it up like a trophy and runs to the nearest bin. All of the town’s bins empty into five recycling centres, which Dad admires and says are leading the way to the future. In the town centre, there’s a mall called Hounds hill, it has three buildings and I love shopping there, they do all sorts of healthy food in the food court and they always have the latest plug-incurs on display. They look very expensive. Mum takes me on a Saturday for lunch and we always look for good sports shoes for me. I play in Blackpool’s tennis team and I have to keep practising on the local tennis courts, the team is doing very well. Blackpool is a very nice, clean place to live in 2050 and I hope it will always be like that.

Olivia D, 11 Blackpool the town reborn Thursday 3rd March 2050 It’s the year 2050, Blackpool has changed massively ! Most things in Blackpool are technolog y based now but the little things that aren’t involving that much technolog y have changed quite a bit. For example, in the year 2021, pollution was flooding the oceans. Now in the year 2050 we have specialised robots to make sure the ocean floor is as clean as a newly bought car. Also, the numbers of sea creatures have increased from this massive change. Another great change is the medicines we have in 2050! A couple years back the scientists have found some things that are truly incredible. For example, the cure for cancer has finally been discovered and everyone in Blackpool that once was relying on chemotherapy doesn’t have to worry about losing their hair anymore! Also, when a terrible illness called coronavirus hit Blackpool years ago, there is now no trace of any living person in Blackpool that has had covid-19 which is a massive relief for some! Blackpool has now become what it once was in Victorian times a major seaside resort for tourism, with people from all over the world coming to see the sights and sounds of Blackpool. technolog y has played a great part in this with now holographic illuminations fill the golden mile. You can now walk down the 24

promenade with great people from the past walking by your side with a dazzling display of lights. The clear waters of Blackpool sea and the warming temperatures around the world, have created a vast array of sea life from dolphins, to turtles can now be seen from the top of the tower! Crime is unheard of now as electronic policemen sur vey every corner keeping homes and streets safe from crime.

Ruby T Hello Lovers of Earth, As you know the population of animals in the sea is going down very quickly so I’m here to tell you what we can do about it. There are a lot of things we need to change in this planet like from the streets to the depths of the ocean. The first topic is obviously water and all the animals in the sea from all the life from the sea beds, we need you to help to make this world a better place by getting yourself messy or even soaking wet because we only have one Earth and this is the only planet we can live on so far. It’s good for exercise because children from all ages can go on the beach or go in the woods with a trusted adult or walk even to collect all this trash and you’ll be very amazed how much there is rubbish on different landmarks.

Hollie C, 12 A Brighter Blackpool Dear Mum, Blackpool in 2060 is so futuristic and interesting. It’s so much different from what we thought it would be like. The sea is clear for miles with no plastic in sight. The feeling of being at the beach makes me feel warm and joyful. Seagulls fill the blue, crystal-clear sky and smiling children run around with three-scooped ice creams in their sweaty hands. There is also a lot of new technolog y here too. This includes electric, flying cars, robotic guide dogs and lots more that I can’t fit on this letter! As I go into what used to be our town centre, I see that it is now filled with fair grounds and small businesses selling low budget, everyday items. Everyone is so happy and it warms my heart to see that life is good, it just takes time. My next stop was our home. I was curious to see if we had moved or stayed. I had moved out and started a new family. You and dad still live here though! As I took my first step inside, I can tell you that our stairs did get re-done in the end, don’t worry. Apart from that everything hadn’t changed a bit. This brought back so many memories including the pandemic. We stuck

together, even though the hardest times. Continuing my journey I realise that the Blackpool tower was looking better than ever! It had way more lights and looked ten times more modern. The restaurants ser ve scrumptious food and look so welcoming. I had the most wonderful piece of steak you would ever eat! It was delightful. To end the best day of my life I watched the fireworks light up the night sky. I had never felt better than what I felt at that moment. It gave me a boost of hope for the future. It was the perfect end to a perfect night. Lots of love and hugs, Hols xx

Lexi HC, 12 A Brighter Blackpool It’s now 2054 and the dolphins and seals now swim in the sea, We now need to promise and guarantee, There will be absolutely no more littering , Stop ignoring and chattering , Animals can be killed by this plastic, Let’s all be enthusiastic, Tomorrow is a new start, So let’s help the environment with all our heart, If we do this all together, Our future can be better, With litter not only in the sand, It’s everywhere and in my hand, Please just put your rubbish in the bin, Eventually everyone can win.

Jake P, 11

Millie D, 12 Dear Diary, It has been 30 years since I was last in Blackpool, WOW how the memories have come flowing back, it feels like I only lived here yesterday. I started my day by walking on the promenade to Blackpool Tower, amazed by how much it has changed. I remember going to the arcade to try to win more tickets than my older brother, going swimming in the water and making sandcastles at the beach with my friends in the summer. I remember in 2020 when Covid-19 just started, we all went into lockdown and had to do school at home and when we went out on our walks, seeing that there was nobody in the streets and the beach all quiet and clean. But now it looks like a different place. There are massive water displays with water shooting up in time with the music and dancers putting on performances everywhere I look, there are even tightrope walkers on a big line from Central Pier to North Pier.There are a lot more fantastic rides at the pleasure beach and they are still working on more ideas. There are also so many new hotels so more people can come and visit, I even saw a roller coaster on the top of one of the new hotels.

As it turned dark, I saw the Tower change colour as it did all those years ago but in all different brighter colours, all flashing at different times, and all of the illumination lights were replaced with laser lights that flash in every direction possible, it reminded me of Las Vegas. The next day I went downtown and I realised there are more shops and they were all 10 times bigger than they were before (you should see the size of Primark now). Coral Island had much bigger and better arcade machines, and little robots zipping around the place but it still had the good old 2p machine which I just had to play again for old time’s sake! There are also many more food restaurants, some even posher than the Beach House and yummier than a McDonald’s big mac. Everybody always seems to be laughing and wearing a smile on their face, just how I remembered my days out in Blackpool.

Chloe W, 14 I began to wonder how different life would be when my home town Blackpool changed for good. All the crowded streets and crumbling buildings, all turn to modern world designs that only I could have dreamed about when I was younger. I am going to take you along with me and explain what I want to happen in the year 2050! The narrow streets of Blackpool turn to exciting passages of the unknown, every left and right are new designs of what we as humans could only dream of. Glass buildings with hologram screens portraying designs of what’s to come. Clear cobble-stone pavements free from all of the chewing gum, litter free streets and a safe air to breathe in. Global warming has come to an end, no more animals getting driven round the bend, no habitats lost and animals are free to live the life that they could only dream! A safe life for everyone to live no fear and no crime, children can feel safe to enter the world of the unknown as they come to realise how different things can truly be. Updated parks, and amusement grounds scatter all throughout the town. A new adventure awaits when you step into the park’s magical gates as the hologram swings await, every child’s dream. You might be thinking , “ What about school? Will it still be the same?” We hope the idea of virtual learning will finally come into place.

Helping people understand what happened in real life from seeing battles taking place, elections and the human race. Black Lives Matter will still be a thing , remembering those who fought for the rights of other people and put them first. As we wander down the streets of 2050 we find loads of updated cars for all you earth-loving people. These fully renewables helping the environment is first on the agenda! The beach! How could I forget ? The main attraction of our small town is the clear blue sea with tropical fish being able to make peace with animals and not hunting them for our own letting them live their greatest life. Our town coming together as one enjoying the time in the sun with our improved weather trying to accomplish every endeavour. Families could have the chance to have an option to use virtual time machines and see their ancestors living their life and enjoying their time on the earth. As I explore 2050 in my mind I wander back to the current year 2021 and I’m wishing and hoping that this is the new way of moving on!

Harry E Dear Diary, The year 2050! Adults in hovering cars on the way to construction jobs wave to their children playing on the silver grass with their shiny wheeled toys. The fake, silver coloured plastic grass outside of everyone’s homes is the only safe place to play now. The streets are too crowded as the population has grown too much to find any space to run around. The children are becoming overweight and pale. Because of the amount of people living so close together the WIFI signals are so slow. Families are given allocated times when they can use the internet. The poorer families often sell their internet time to pay for their rent. Blackpool is not as busy as it was several years ago. So the work dried up when the holiday makers stopped coming. They chose warmer cheaper holidays abroad. There are better areas on the outskirts of the town, where the families have more space to live. It is rare to see the children in these areas playing outside. They have better signal so they are usually in their rooms playing on their computers.

Where do I fit in here? Both of my parents are able to work so we do not live in the deprived areas. But we are not rich so we don’t fit on the outskirts either. We are the lucky ones. We are free to move around in the open spaces, the parks we have left are close to us so we can play there. We can reach the beach too. Not many people come to the beach now, they are too busy.

Maja G Oh in a brighter Blackpool, Oh in a brighter Blackpool, It’s 2050 and we don’t have flying cars, But we do have more technolog y that’s more bizarre. Factories don’t have workers they were all fired, They were replaced with robots that were wired, To do the workers job and never take a break, And never make not even one mistake. Buildings are all cottages to make the place look more appealing , To live in a big mansion-like house you must be succeeding. Which is hard now because robots have taken over jobs, If you are working you must be making special thing ymabobs. Oh in a brighter Blackpool, Oh in a brighter Blackpool, Pets get their own little home, But most don’t like being alone. Police officers on patrol, Had to give up their important role,

And instead we have cameras everywhere, Most people weren’t bothered by the stare. Of the little black thing that has a shiny lense, That believe it or not can grow legs, When it drops off the wall and the legs appear, It checks to see if the roads are clear. Oh in a brighter Blackpool, Oh in a brighter Blackpool. Some people wish that somethings wouldn’t have changed, But I would never go back if someone else would they are deranged.

Amelia H, 12 “A brighter Blackpool” what does it mean? To some people, it’s flying cars and robots with the world full of technolog y. To me it’s a lot more than that, it’s a future, a possibility beyond our vision. In 29 years, there will be some technolog y of course but what else is there? I think that there are jobs beyond your imagination. Jobs like medical mentors, or technolog y specialists. You can think of so much in the future that may be true and may be out of the question that is not possible at that point in time. Sometimes I like to wonder about how good the future is going to be, but I never think about how it could possibly get worse. Climate change, Global warming , so many things that could happen. Now, enough of the boring talk and more of the good things and the fun. Technolog y, there is lots of technolog y in the world such as phones, computers, printers, tablets, mp3 players, headphones, game consoles etc. What I’m saying is we have come so far in the last 21 years and made so many new technolog y items so if we have made all of this in the past, what can we make in the future? There are possibilities over possibilities, I bet that in 20 years time, there will be robots roaming the streets helping the elderly with their

shopping , or handing out newspapers if they will still be doing that, I mean they’ll have technolog y after all. I just hope that in a couple of decades there will be something that kids see in history class and will say, “that’s older than my grandpa” and giggle to their friends, something like an iPhone 7 plus. I suppose we never know what the future will specifically be like, nobody will, but I guess that’s the fun of it. ‘A brighter Blackpool’ and that’s what I think of.

Aliyah A, 12 Dear Diary, In Blackpool it is now 2050, so much has changed since 2021. In 2021 there was a horrible virus called coronavirus. It hit families and key workers hard but we got through it with the covid vaccines scientists have created for us. Now 2050 is a better life with less pollution in the sea. Lots of new technolog y is out like self driving cars and space tourism in orbit! The whole of Blackpool is an amazing theme park with all different rides. The houses are amazing , they are much bigger. In each house there is a waterfall full of joy. There is yummy food everywhere and the water is crystal clear. There are lots of new jobs like in a hospital there are robots for taking care of your newborn child. Everyone loves the new picture filter. It is now rainbow. In schools there are no books anymore it is just on computers. Extinct creatures have come back from the dead and scientists have created giant creatures that are still in the medical care.

Max N, 11 It was opening day and Blackpool really was booming with people from all around the world elated and enjoying the wonders of Blackpool seeing all that it has to offer. I was lucky enough to get an early access universal pass for all Blackpool attractions for free. I managed to ride the zooming , floating monorail, Sandtown water park, the Pleasure Pier with an arcade, 5 star restaurant, roller coasters, mini games and a full sized football pitch with its own football team. Last, but definitely not least, I got a once in a lifetime experience to visit The Max Pleasure Beach. I was jogging towards the biggest theme park not in Britain but in the world, I was met by massive 50 ft tall stone and iron walls and then I saw the gates stone and iron again but with the letters TMPB car ved in the gate and patterns that looked like optical illusions but to an extremely large scale. Guards patrolled the entrance and to enter you had to show them a ticket made out of 24 karat gold it was literally a golden ticket but this time to something much better than a crusty and dusty chocolate factory but a ticket to the future. There was an airport linked to the park as big as Heathrow and filled with luxurious private jets fit for millionaires. The first ride

I stumbled across was called the invis-mobile, there was nothing there. I was so confused when, “ahhhhh!” shouted a group of people riding an invisible roller coaster a bit like the quin jet. How was this possible no one had ever told me about this! It was as if I was in a fantasy world or dreaming. It would be an understatement to say I was blown away. To my right laid a ride called the magic 1000, I was confused until I saw a massive speed-o-meter beep and then f woosh a gust of wind slammed in my face and 1000 miles per hour was recorded. Everyone I saw looked like a cheshire cat with a smile beaming from cheek to cheek or looked like they were in a jaw lock with their mouths wide open. The rest were amazing but there was one that caught mine and everyone else’s eye, The Omega One standing 2500 ft tall and took 9 minutes to finish the ride. I ran as fast as I could over to the ride and the queue was 4 hours long but then eureka! I remembered I had fast track from the universal pass I got and I was straight on the ride trembling in fear and buckling up my seat belt getting ready for the ride of my life... ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch. The ride stopped right at the top but then, “oh no,” sighed another person on the ride. Now I thought I was stuck that was not the case. “Ahhhhhh” I was off plummeting to my death but then there was another trek up much faster and then back down I felt queasy I then threw up but the g-force was so high the sick came out my mouth then as grim as it is went back in my mouth I was having fun, but it was too much I blacked out and the next thing I knew was that I was back home in bed with my mum and dad next to me with the television on. 43

Jayden G, 13 It is the year 2050 and Blackpool has received some shocking transformations that have formed the seaside resort’s stunning reputation. A newly constructed transport infrastructure, which is all ecofriendly, has improved the air quality drastically as extra people have abandoned their cars and no carbon-dioxide is emitted from the vehicles as no petrol is used. These automobiles have been solely made of recycled materials meaning that fewer products are having to be manufactured out of new materials. You wouldn’t even recognize that they were recycled as they look extremely slick and modern. Also, the roads have been resurfaced with a mixture of recycled plastic and tar so then they are less susceptible to damage and wear and tear to ensure there is less maintenance required. This helps with plastic pollution because more of the material is being repurposed instead of it being disposed of resulting in waste accumulating in the oceans. In addition, there are no people scavenging the streets for food and shelter as there are flats to accommodate them with food being

provided as the council have established a support scheme for people that have lost their homes and can’t afford to eat. New sport and leisure facilities have been built to encourage people to do more exercise so then they live a healthier lifestyle. More parks have also been built for the children living in the area to allow them to meet up with their friends to keep them socializing and having fun. Law enforcement has tightened to suppress crime meaning that living here is a lot safer than it was in the past. Because of this, the miniature town has become one of the best places to live in the UK which is a massive improvement from the previous ratings the town had received. In conclusion, I admire the way Blackpool is now in comparison to the way it was previously because the streets are immaculate and there are fewer crimes being committed in the area. Also, people are happier as there are better facilities and the roads haven’t got any imperfections because they have been vigorously maintained to cease disruptions. In addition to all of these improvements, the air quality is extremely pure because more steps have been taken into consideration to reach carbon zero. This is the way I would like to imagine Blackpool to be in 2050.

Holly W, 11 I met a girl called Harper who was from... the future. She invited me to come in her time machine and travel 30 years into the future. We arrived in the year 2051, as I slowly stepped out of the time machine my heart was beating so fast. The first thing I noticed was the tower. It had not changed one bit at all! As I glanced around everything else had completely changed. As we both walked along the prom I noticed that everyone was wearing bright colours...like glowing yellows and bright pinks, it was amazing ! Even the hair styles were crazy, girls were wearing at least 6 buns in their hair with glow in the dark hair bands. I noticed the town was a lot busier than I remember. There were so many people about. We came across a shop called World of Wonderful Sweets. It had three floors, and was massive! It had every single sweet inside. We decided to go in and have a look. All you could smell was bubblegum. Even the lift was shaped like a gingerbread house and smelt of ginger. Next, we had a look around the Museum of Dinosaurs. Inside were lots of bones and models, there was even a 3D cinema experience. 46

In the middle of town there was a massive entertainment centre that was filled with everything : an ice cream parlour, cinema, bowling , restaurants, shops and play areas. Harper and I treated ourselves to a fruit salad ice cream. In the evening we watched a magnificent magic show. I had not seen anything like it, it was amazing there were so many people. After the magic show had finished, Harper told me it was time to go. When I got back home to 2021 I couldn’t but think about all of the exciting things and places that we had seen. It made me happy to think of all the fun places in Blackpool we will be able to visit in the future.

Ava H, 11 At the start it was all a blur, then there were colours. I was confused. I felt like I was being engulfed by my own thoughts. Once I gained back my consciousness, I realised I was in a much brighter Blackpool. Hover cars zoomed past and robots walked mechanical pets down the streets. It was early in the morning so the Blackpool Tower illuminated the streets a cool blue colour. By midday the pavement was filled with people out for their summer shopping ; there were parents in the park playing in the fountains and enjoying giant ice creams. I was still in my nightgown so I decided to do a bit of shopping. I entered the shop and it was full of colour and life. Girls were trying on makeup and trying on designer clothes; everything was so flamboyant. At the counter there was a robot. I was surprised everything was replaced by robots. What a year it was. I felt like I was dreaming. However, leaving this futuristic paradise will be hard. But mum says, “Be home by tea time we are having bangers and mash for tea”. Yum!

Jake R, 13 Blackpool 2050 29 years in the future, the small seaside town has revolutionised and has improved dramatically, job opportunities pour into the town opening new windows for people who originally came to Blackpool for work and found themselves on the floor of the promenade, the run-down shops on the sea cost have improved dramatically, filling with customers. The streets that were empty and abandoned have now turned into new properties going for high prices because of their sea front seat. The hotels on the seafront have been knocked down to rebuild 4-5 star hotels down the beachfront. Historical and iconic places such as the pier have been repaired and look brand new due to storms pulling some of the foundation loose over the years and the town has expanded 1-2 miles of length with brand new houses making herds of people funnel into the town. Ever since the rewilding project skyrocketed, assumed to be extinct animals resurface inside of the new forests and animals return to normal once more. The astonishing shops that scavenged the town centre, thought to be abandoned or forgotten because of the new places opening outside of town. The streets have all been cleaned and replaced with clean, slick pavements with trees with bright green leaves scattering the street like a futuristic scene in a movie, but with the fancy smooth white and blue lights.

With Blackpool’s population booming , a lot more workers are introduced and to keep up with the constant stream of needed money, banks are rebuilt with state of the art facilities, vaults and a high tech money printer but this only happened with big banks, with state of the art bullet proof cameras and 2x as many guards as there would be making the money inside secure as long as the bank lives. The town now has 2 skyscrapers that tower at almost the same height as the iconic Blackpool tower, electric cars have become the main source of driving and gas stations have become obsolete to electric stations. Blackpool along with many other towns and cities have now begun to make robots that can move on their own and do other jobs, more hospitals have started to be built with the best technolog y and many diseases once thought impossible to cure have now been cured by scientists that have worked over time, becoming the most popular group of scientists in the medical industry. And to add the cherry on top, the most important thing we humans need, right next to a home and water, food, during the evolution of man, farms have doubled in livestock leaving millions of spare animals with the other million pieces of meat supplied to the super markets making people never go hungry again.

Riley G In 2050 will life be any better? The bright lights of Blackpool appealing to the go-getter. But beyond the lights there are major issues, the back streets are littered, but not just with tissues. People in poverty and racism is rife, don’t they deserve to live a normal happy life. The town could be great and people can prosper, but let’s not be the unwanted imposter. We all know deep down we must make a start, to make life better in the town in our heart. Start with the little, just say good morning , before you know it we are smiling and life is not so boring. We are all the same deep down inside, we may be different shapes and sizes, but the colour of our skin, we must hide! The terraces are filled with a multicultural society, let’s lift the taboo and release the anxiety. I want a town that is equal for all,

where we walk down the prom and we can all stand tall. No matter where you are from or the language you speak we can make our town the best and 2050 will not be so bleak.

Jake H, 13 January 29th 2050 Dear diary, today I walked around the remnants of a town that used to stand tall in the sky as flying vehicles circled around my head as I walked to the local beach. It was about 3:37PM. As I was about to sit down, a man tried to get my attention as he jogged over to me. I said to him that he needs to stand away from me and put a mask on, then I asked what he wants. He said he is sorry and he couldn’t find where the shop is, so gave him directions and he went away. It seems as I lost track of time and it was getting dark now so I got in my car and flew up and away back to my house.

Chloe W, 14 The End of an Era Today, as more and more attractions are popping up all over the United Kingdom, Blackpool announced the impending closure of one of its biggest ever attractions, quite literally ! The news has rocked our town to its very core and left us without any idea what is coming next. The news of the closure of Blackpool Tower, which hit national headlines yesterday morning , has been met with backlash from nearly everyone who read it. However, unless something drastic is done, nothing will change and Blackpool Tower will run its famous lifts for the last time ever in one short month’s time. Of course, if it hadn’t been for those in charge, our Tower may still be providing joy for families everywhere. You see, I can remember visiting the Blackpool Tower when I was just a young child, spending quality time with my family. Now, reflecting upon those far happier times, I am absolutely devastated that yet another of the places I recall so fondly is having to close. How can you not see that the government’s irresponsible, ridiculous and idiotic spending has cost our town more than they could ever repay? We have lost far more than just the tower itself !

650,000 people from all over the country visit the Blackpool Tower each year. Saying that they bought single tickets, that would be a total revenue of £9,067,500! As you can see for yourself, that is an astronomical sum and, you may think, simply too much to just throw away ! Well, that is what seems to have been decided for us. Since when have we, the people of Blackpool, had a say in matters like this ? Never, but now is the time to do something about it! This is our town and it’s our right to stop this! So, you might be thinking to yourself, ‘how could I possibly help?’. Well, there are a lot of things that must be done before the closure takes place next month and the Tower is no more. During that time, there is plenty that can be done, that should have been done much sooner, to save this beloved icon. I spoke to manager John Smith, who gave me this statement: ‘ We at the Tower are heartbroken to see it go, but if we were to simply have more funding , we may be able to operate a while longer’. There’s your answer! Blackpool Tower is legendary, up on the list with the greats like the one and only Eiffel Tower. We should all come together and try to raise some money to keep this part of our history open. If everyone contributed just £2, we would have £278,000 to keep it running , so get your thinking caps on! Nevertheless, if nothing can be done and this part of our heritage is going down, it will do so in style and give us something to remember for years to come, a legacy that will forever put our little town on the map.

Charlotte L, 11 A Brighter Blackpool The splash of the sea , morning rays of sun People edge out their houses , the day just begun The seagulls and starfish The clownfish and cod The colourful ocean fresh sand not been trod The piers and great tower , iconic to see The ballroom dazzling , everyone does agree Once a place where litter overran the whole ground Now it was clean , no litter to be found. The once dying oceans now have lots of life The pollution is gone where it used to be rife Where shops were closed unable to sell They were now open and busy as well This little town that used to be missed Had got a place on the map and was now very blissed The sun now fully rose and all the people outside This is the new Blackpool that has so much pride 56

Abbie C, Yr7 A Brighter Blackpool It’s a beautiful life, It’s a beautiful place Many things to do In such little space The beach, the pier Amusements, Blackpool tower It’s a great place When will we have the power? The town is in lockdown, We got through this together. We fought for the rights, Whatever the weather. Online school is a nightmare, Families are struggling.

Doing what they can, Though it is still troubling. In the future there will be more, More of care, love and hope. Think about the sea creatures dying , Think about how they have to cope. Creatures, cope in the worst ways, You put your litter on the floor. And they have to suffer, More and more. In 2050 in the future, Who knows what it will be like. Things that will make us forget, The times we would even dislike. The bad memories and the good, Will linger because we had plenty. We will think back to the memories, We made in 2020!

Abigail T, Yr7 A Brighter Blackpool Hello people, today I think that we should make Blackpool a better place for example: cleaning up the streets for the Queen, Giving money to the homeless so they can find a new home, Cleaning up the beach, Picking up plastic. Because we could all kill the sea animals and none of us want that. I think we should be better people to God and the world because we drop so much rubbish everyday and we care so little. We need our world to change... Some people don’t have a world for nothing , we can’t treat it like we treat ourselves, With hate and broken trust and bad love. We can’t let people make our world fall apart, we can’t let water wash it away. So whatever you do please treat our world right because it’s falling apart and I hate the fact that we treat it with so little respect, Residents of Blackpool, I want to say I’d love to change the world, make it a better place but we can’t do that all alone. This needs to stop. We need to stop and think of all the people struggling out there. No home, no money, no food. They could all die alone and all of their families wouldn’t even care but for the ones that cried... for the ones that did care... THANK YOU!

I really have a hard time realizing how hard it is for the people that lost their loved ones., I get so tired of looking at people suffer and cry. This needs to stop now. -Be nice, helpful -Don’t let people suffer. -Try your best and don’t give up. -Even if you get knocked down. Get back up and show them that you deser ve to be here!

Billie G, Yr7 Blackpool in 2050 wow let me think, Lovely beach and lots of pubs, people love to drink, At Blackpool, in Lancashire were known for our sea Come to Blackpool, in the winter make sure you have a tea, Kids and adults were open for any, Pop to an old building , only spend a penny Open for anyone come, come, come Opera house, Madame Tussauds our town isn’t glum Lucky for you we’re open 24/7.

Blake H, Yr7 Good afternoon everyone, I need some money to help make Blackpool better as there are a lot of homeless people in Blackpool that need help. They need somewhere to stay like a hostel or a flat so they can get off the streets and into a nice warm place and have some food in their tummies. How would you feel if it was someone you knew or a family or friend? Also, we need to save money for the residents of Blackpool instead of charging them the same as tourists. We can save them 50%, that way everybody can enjoy the sights and we can make more money. Then we can build more stuff to help everyone. I think this will be a great way to get Blackpool back up and running so we can make money and keep the homeless off the streets. Thank you for listening to my speech.

Ebony S Blackpool...what can we say it’s a very nice area to be in we have a lovely beach and a very nice parks but can i just say something about the town in 2050 would be very modern and very old as I really want it to be the same in 2050 because it looks so good now why are they changing it now ? Like it is already as nice we have good fish and chips. This would happen in 2050 we have better phones, better technolog y like better phone ser vice and better transport, like flying cars, better police ser vice, no criminals around and better fast food! We have an amazing beach full of new people from around the world, we would have a better Blackpool tower so it won’t be fixed 24/7. We finally don’t have robbers, homeless people, rich people and many more. It helps with everyone around us and that we don’t have any people who we think are criminals. We have better schools, better policy, no bullies or they would be kicked out. As much as we all wanted to get rid of bullies is still the law to have all kids in school.

We have better buildings, we have a fantastic cinema, better parks, we also have a 5 star hotel that people from all around the world come to and have fun with so come to blackpool we’ll make your 2050 as best as possible!!

Evangeline M Family and friends United once again Then later torn apart Unusual to everyone Reminders of happy time Everyone.

George Y Hello there! I’m here today to talk about Blackpool. As you know, there’s been crimes around Blackpool. Not just Blackpool, around the world as well. We need to act up and make Blackpool a wonderful place to visit. This means we need to be kind to each other, respect each other and collaborate with each other. That’s what Blackpool needs. I dream one day will everyone was treated equally. I dream one day that all the homeless people seek help and manage to get back on their feet and I dream one day that everyone will be loved as you can see, God and Jesus love every individual they have created. Do you love him? Unfortunately, there is a coronavirus pandemic in place, so we are not really able to change our act. But, if we worked together to stop this pandemic we can actually change. All we have to do is follow the coronavirus pandemic restrictions by working from home and not travelling too much, until told by the government. Me and my family are doing great and working to try and lift the restrictions and I’m working very hard in my online class studies. What about you? That’s all for what I have to say. I hope you have an amazing day. Goodbye!

Harleigh W, Yr9 ‘Blackpool in 2050’ There will be more flowers The size of Sweets There will be more Towers On Halloween they’ll be more Treats Snow will fall like a Shower People will eat less Meat

Jess F, Yr7 I think that Blackpool would be a better place if people were not homeless or had obesity problems. Being homeless can change with a friendly helping hand or two. All you need to do is lend a room for them to bloom. Then they will be able to get a job and move out of your house and get one themself. Then they won’t be homeless any more. The bad thing about lending a room is that you don’t know what the person is like because they might have ended up on the streets for a bad thing they have done in the past. But if you are kind to them, they will be kind to you. Obesity might not be what they are eating , or how much, it is mainly what’s in the food. All that needs to be done is change how much sugar and artificial tastes and colourings go into foods. The bad thing is that they might change the recipe and no one likes it or they put things in that people are allergic to. So the companies that make the foods will have to think hard about what goes in the food. I also think that Blackpool will be more interesting in the future if the illuminations were slightly different and more interesting every year. Although it will cost a lot of money if they did change the illuminations every year so it will be best not to. These are a few ideas that I think will make Blackpool a brighter and interesting place to go to. 68

Madison B, Yr7 Everyone is thinking that we are going to have the best future, but I believe that we need to stop with these hopes and dreams and clean up our town. If we even want to see a future, I need you all to help me make a difference. Sometimes no one believes us because we are young. I hope you can see that we are destroying our planet before our eyes and we are not doing anything about it. Our environment is suffering through all of this littering and it is becoming a serious problem here in Blackpool. l strongly believe that if we keep littering , we will have no town and it will be nothing but a waste land. Why does no one care for our planet ? A lot of people say that they care, but I want you to prove that to me and help me make a difference! Many families are having to go through all of this rubbish around the world, children are growing up in horrible environments please tell me, what would you do if you were in that situation? Blackpool is a place where everyone can come together and walk on the beaches to have good times, without having to feel plastic on their feet and get hurt.

Blackpool should be a place for us to run free and should not have to see rubbish anywhere. If that is the type of place you want to live in, or come on a vacation to then may I ask you once more help me make a change please for those who are suffering.

Mckenzie C, Yr7 NOW- It’s 2021 and in 29 years it will be 2050, Homelesness is everywhere, and there is rubbish all over. HOPES - I hope for these two things to disappear, for technolog y to get better, for equipment in school and hospital to get better TOURISM - I hope less tourists come to Blackpool, but still many should visit.

Mia W, Yr7 Do you really want Blackpool to disappear ? Right now in Blackpool everywhere is closed so no tourists can come because it would be boring but as well they can’t. This means that people who work at hotels and sites where people can live when they are on holiday aren’t gaining any money and because of this they won’t be able to look after their family. 40% of people who work in hotels and sites in Blackpool have lost their jobs. To stop this from happening again we need to make sure that Blackpool looks like a good place for tourists to come. If no tourists come it will be dark and gloomy and people won’t want to go to Blackpool because no one else is. Do you really want to be a town that people find boring and no one goes to? You are ruining children’s dreams of making new friends from people around the world. The first thing is to make sure that Blackpool looks good for tourists

to come because they won’t want to come to a place that is dirty and does not look very nice. In the summer lots of people come to Blackpool but in the winter when it is cold and there are not many places to go it is a bit boring. So I think they should make things that you could do in the winter like an ice skating rink and right outside the rink there is a hot drink stand or things like that so it is better in the winter. I hope that together we help make Blackpool a great town again.

Nika R, Yr9 I dragged myself along Blackpool beach. The sand wasn’t yellow and soft but mimicked mud. An inconvenient side effect of depressive weather. The air was polluted, suffocating the hope out of anyone brave enough to come out during a pandemic. No one left their houses anymore. It was the loudest silence I had ever known. In 2020, COVID-19 began strangling us. We naively assumed it would stop but it was now 2021. Everyday routine; a continuous cycle, dizzying me. It felt like history was repeating itself. A nightmare. It was a shadow looming over our heads. Despite our efforts, it hadn’t let us recover. As a child I watched sandcastles crumble underneath my fists; now it was the uninhabited hotels around me deteriorating. But life doesn’t have to be this way. Thirty years from now, the zoo is a rehabilitation centre; volunteers help get rid of plastic waste. We made a caring community. The sun shines, blessing every last person under it with a soul-warming kiss. Wherever you go, cheer follows, like a puppy. I almost felt myself lying under the sun, watching a rainbow dance with pearly white clouds. The entire town bustles with noise: laughter from Stanley Park practically echoes across the vast land; thrilled screams of those at the piers, a breeze sweeping their hair away from their rosy cheeks. The air has the aroma of

everything good in life: grass cuttings, fresh donuts, milkshakes. The smell of summer. A smile would spread over my face, the way water does over golden sand. The moon scatters across the purest water we have ever seen. I stand at the promenade and take in the breath-taking view. Robots clean up the streets, tidy the seafront. We are known for the clearest water in England. The entire town constantly radiates excited noises, a pleasant sound to hear. A euphony. I visit Pleasure Beach, my sadness levels falling down along with the rollercoasters. A liberating experience. At sunset, a candy floss shade of pink might spread across the horizon. A perfect sight from the new ride: ‘Love Drop’. My feet may ache from exploring Blackpool’s signature place of delight but it would be worth it. I’d finally feel full again. I was distracted in my thoughts, so deeply that I hadn’t realised where I had wandered. I stood at an old park. I rested on the grass, knocked off my feet by sorrow. The grass under me was nearly lifeless, a consequence of being deprived of children playing amongst it. I was falling down a hole of self-pity when something caught my attention. A blooming violet flower was rising from the barren ground. A small flicker of optimism sparked in me. If that flower could find the will to fight past rocks and stern soil, maybe there was hope that we would make it out of this. Maybe all that rain is just what we needed to water our roots and start our journey of growth, to a brighter Blackpool.

Robert H, Yr7 Residents of Blackpool, Would you like to live in a world where we can breathe fresh air ? Well the answer has been here since 1885. Trams unlike cars are 100% electric and very good for the environment. While cars gurgle fuel, trams swiftly glide past the indigo sea. Why don’t you make the change? The year 2020/2021 has hit public transport hard but our trams have sur vived proposed closure, prices for tickets going up and Covid 19. However, Blackpool needs trams as it is unlocking Blackpool’s potential for tourism. Our environment is falling into a bottomless pit and cannot be retrieved without your help. Trams can help with this because they give off zero emission, are 100% electric, modern and fast. Who wouldn’t like to live in a green world? In our community people are constantly breathing polluted air. Personally, I don’t want my lungs my being like a sponge soaking

up dirty air. When I grow up I want to live in a more eco-friendly world and I feel angry that we’re destroying our planet. So I believe that trams are one step closer to sustaining our environment around our town. One step in the right direction to change this problem, which is growing like cancer, is to educate people about climate change and the impact it has on our planet. As well as this, I believe that governments should take this seriously and invest in green transportation. Blackpool Tramway had 4.8 million passengers during the 2019/20 financial year, this means that Blackpool trams are getting cars off the road. Imagine living in a green world where we can breathe fresh air. To achieve this, governments have to rethink how we get around, like using bikes, walking , trams, electric buses and other forms of green transportation. As the first electric tramway in England, Blackpool led the way for cities across England. However, our tramway was taken away from us because the government thought that cars are the Future. This was a big mistake. Now we need trams more than ever, as the UK is the 23rd worst country for air quality. I like trams because they are good for the environment. Thank you for coming. #More trams for Blackpool.

Shahed S, Yr9 This is a wonderland, heaven or something that an ordinary mind cannot describe, looking around for clues of what this place could be, trying to convince my mind that I am not in heaven but it is hard to believe. As you walk you see the sea which is full of magic and dreams and the rainbow is reflecting its beauty on the wide blue sea like a bed dreaming about this place’s beauty. I could not stop looking at this beautiful place. Every time I looked, it gained more beauty and magic. As you throw your vision to the other side, you see all kinds of shops that sell stuff I never saw before, and they give you something extra to think about. It is weird yet satisf ying to look in every small magical shop and see new stuff each time. As you take a step, the soft and gentle ground becomes softer and softer each time and as you stop walking you feel that there is no ground but feathers delicately moving you forward to your destination. That is where I knew this place is a place that could not be found on earth. It was time to go home, but which house should I choose? One with

a magical pool which the warming sun is laying gentle down on to create the perfect temperature or the one with a magical small wonderland full of wonders and beauty? The list goes on for tens and hundreds of homes. As I was walking towards my own magical house, I was thinking of how this place is perfect in every single detail. It made me think of who made this who made this beauty that can’t be described in any sort of normal words, by looking up to a sign saying “Blackpool, designed by mother nature”. There I knew this beauty cannot be man made.

Summer F, Yr7 As I woke up from my rest, A fuzzy feeling filled my chest Happy thoughts filled my head Will I ever go back to bed? As I shifted the curtains away I’d usually be filled with dismay, But not today No way My eyes laid upon a lovely sight Happy smiles from left to right A joyful smile escaped my lips As I bathed in a feeling of bliss Cheery faces filled the streets They didn’t give up? We delayed the defeat! Kids sung homemade songs As their parents chuckled, and sang along The despair and weeping had seemed to be gone

The hatred will never be redrawn I hope.. I woke up early But there was a reason Because summer happens to be my favourite season! The future of our town Honestly I would expect population to shoot So much joy filled the road Cold was the sea Hot was the sand People sung Holding hands As a happy feeling warmed my face The sadness was gone Without a trace The sun shone on the residency All the other places hissing with jealousy My eyes fell shut as I smiled to myself

I was one singular item resting on the shelf ‘Shelf of what?’ You may sit and ponder Yet don’t let your mind wander, The shelf of residents! Honestly, I’m, happy we need no bother with president

Tyler B, Yr7 Today we are going to talk about Blackpool, a town known for its tower, beach and attractions not to mention the golden mile but how do you find Blackpool? Do you like living here? Are there any issues you have? Do you think that Blackpool is an upcoming place where you feel safe and want to bring your children up? If you could change anything about Blackpool what would it be? How do you feel about the current state of Blackpool? Where do you see Blackpool in 2050? At the moment the town is a shadow of its former self, there are hotels left empty the same hotels that used to provide a job, maybe “for even a family member”. Buildings being knocked down. Youths are causing anti-social behaviour causing residents to feel isolated and vulnerable in their own homes. These aren’t just people they could be your mum, dad, sister, brother. Homeless people are a regular sighting and poverty is rife. The beaches once filled with tourists bringing families which provided income for many businesses are now deserted because of covid which has also affected many other things majorly. This can all be turned round, but it will involve me, you and others.

For me and my family we have mixed views on living in Blackpool. Yes, we have a roof over our head and a warm meal to look forward to. I have an education and friends but we also realise that jobs are hard to come by as most are seasonal leaving us with the worry of, even if we gain an education are there going to be any jobs out there that can sustain the cost of living comfortably? How are our children meant to thrive at school with these worries hanging over them? I’m sure at one point you’ve had these same worries. There are many major issues surrounding Blackpool. Among them is poverty, this doesn’t just affect adults but children too. Homeless people line the streets and with the way things are going , one day that could be you on those streets, with people staring and just walking by. I have also been guilty of this like I bet many of you have. Children are going to school and bed hungry not knowing where their next meal is coming from. People are too scared to leave their homes due to youths making them feel scared, and the police have no authority, as they continue to cause anti-social behaviour, despite warnings. Children’s education is suffering as some no longer have the support they need and because of them struggling they feel there is no point. The derelict buildings are being vandalised causing hundreds and thousands to repair. Money that could be better spent on other things. How can we as a community change this? What can we do to make Blackpool a better place in 2050?

This is what we need to do. We need to work together, children, young adults, parents, teachers, council, business owners. Together we can work towards ending poverty and other issues. No child should go to bed hungry or wake up hungry so let’s provide regular hot meals at community centres for everyone who needs one. After all, how would you feel if it was a relative of yours going hungry? People young and old need to feel safe, safe to leave their homes, safe to walk the streets, so let’s put wardens on every street and provide everyone with direct numbers to essential ser vices. Youths need to work with the police not against them and know that respect is earnt and if laws are broken, consequences follow, to help let’s set up community halls that hold events like boxing , karate, etc. at just a donation cost so that all families feel they can access them, let them use their negative energ y for doing positive things like helping turn those derelict buildings into homes for the homeless. Let them help create activities, help design technolog y for them and others to use like video games and VR systems. I’m sure you agree if you have built something yourself or helped, you appreciate it more. Together we can turn Blackpool around to a place where the elderly can walk the streets without fear and a place where parents want to bring their children up. A community that pulls together through the good times and the bad. Somewhere where tourists don’t just call a holiday but a place we are proud to call home.

The plan for 2050 may seem far away and unreachable but we can make this happen. Let’s also provide extra technolog y to schools, put more entertainment on, but at a cost everyone can afford. If we can do all this, Blackpool can be a place of the future, a place where everyone wants to live. Imagine in 2050 looking back at this and seeing how far we have come.

Taylor F My Hopes and Dreams For Blackpool HOPES My hopes for a brighter Blackpool are: -We fix big problems such as homelessness -There is no dog poop on the ground at all -There are more community things such as community clubs -There is no rubbish on the floor (people don’t litter) -And we try to help solve world problems DREAMS My dreams are: -That my hopes come true -Kids will be able to go places by themselves without worrying about bad people -That Blackpool will become a place for people and communities to come together and enjoy themselves -To ride dolphins if they like it

Willow S, Yr9 The scent wafted through the restaurant’s air and entered my nostrils. My spaghetti had finally come. I tried to not inhale my food and use proper manners - that was proving to be difficult. As I ate, I looked out of the glass wall and soon I was lost in my thoughts. The ending of the sunset made the sky a purplish-blue colour. The illuminations flicked on, ready to put on a show-stopper. The carnival music in the distance was slowing down, preparing to hand the spotlight over to the lights. The promenade was chaos. Cars were stuck idling on the road but they were too dazzled to be frustrated. Neon signs furiously blinked, trying to coax people away from the luminous lights. The Ferris wheel suddenly blinked to life - its lights reflecting in the dancing waves. The tower lit up - wanting to protect Blackpool wherever its light touched, wanting to join the show. I watched this through the wall and my thoughts suddenly turned dark. Before, it was a time of fear, a time of darkness. The tower happily pushed itself to the background, not wanting to attract attention to itself. A virus was unleashed onto the coastal town, sending thousands into isolation, thousands hospitalised. Schools closed and children worked from home, fear was replaced by a depression. Blackpool’s sky was never a purplish-blue; it was always a charcoal grey during

the day and black at night. The grey clouds pressed themselves onto the town, needing people to express their dismay. Tourism slowed and eventually stopped. Businesses fell and homelessness and unemployment polluted Blackpool. Hotels were abandoned and were left to rot on the promenade. The waves angrily crashed against the deserted beach, threatening to harm and drag those who were having fun into the ocean’s depth. The darkness had won and it kept winning. The scrape of a chair brought me to my senses. I left the restaurant and the coastal winds gently guided me to the show. The waves gently licked the sands, savouring its purity. The waters were a clear blue and the sea foam frothed on top. The rainbow gleam of the fishes’ scales was just visible below the surface. Jellyfish swam together in unison in the distance, their colours a pastel pink. At that moment, a warm hand clasped around mine. A smile slowly crawled across my face, dimpling my cheeks. The gentle winds brushed the hair out of my face, wanting this grin to be displayed. Children ran around, their sugar-coated mouths screaming with joy. Their parents were too happy to tell them off ; they instead gave them more doughnuts. A wave of emotion crashed over my head; gratitude and contentment came to the forefront of my mind. I spun around and took my turn to walk along the endless pavement and at that moment, I knew that this Blackpool was my home

Paige R, Yr10 The sun 80p Into the future of Blackpool What will Blackpool look like in 29 years time? So, as we are in tough times with covid-19 let’s start thinking about what Blackpool will look like in 29 years. As a young journalist I think Blackpool will be greener and only think this because there is roughly 23% green and 50% concrete. I took this quote from a member of the public called adam45 who says “I want Blackpool to look brighter and have more places for the local people.” I think this is a good idea because Blackpool in the summer has put the prices up in summer holidays for the holidaymakers when they come and stay and the locals should get a discount. Will Blackpool be cleaner ? I think by 2050 Blackpool will be a lot cleaner and the sea will be clear. I also have a big idea that there will be houses built into the beach. I went on a hunt for some local people to ask what they want Blackpool to look like. I found a woman who has lived here for 10 years called Jane who is 35 years old who said, “I hope there will be more family events that are fun and not too EXPENSIVE for the 90

locals and will get some of the locals out of their houses and then they are not staying in all the time”. I think this was an amazing idea so then whoever lives in Blackpool will get to go out and have fun without paying the full price of what that company pays. And now I think to myself we hardly have any g yms and shops, so what if we get more shops. Blackpool airport: The airport will get a refurbishment and get a new life in the new world. This new airport will get people to fly all over the world and not just to go to Spain and that. This new airport will have a lot more space and have hotels which will be bigger and better, also a brand new casino which will look like you are in VEGAS. There will be a 3-sided leisure centre one side will be a quiet area, another side will be a family area and the final side will be a spa for adults who need time away from the children. If you don’t feel safe leaving your car outside why don’t you put it in the secure underground car park? This means you don’t need to worry about your car getting robbed because this car park is the best ever. I also wonder will you have to push your own luggage? No, of course not because it’s 2050 there will be flying robots to get your luggage. I think this will be amazing and shocking. The robots will be waiting for you by your car to collect the bags and take them to the plane.

Chloe R Have you ever wondered what Blackpool will look like in the future? If so, come on this trip with me, let’s go to 2050 and see our future selves! We have entered this world that we could never imagine... Where are all the problems? What happened to our terrible traits ? Well, I will tell you. In 2023 when covid19 had finished and we had all had our vaccines we all finally realised how selfish we were being ! We had not thought about the health of ourselves in the future and we weren’t worrying. This is when it all occurred to us, we needed to change. We decided to take our species to the next level. We decided that we were going to get rid of mobiles and electronics. We used minimal electricity and we made our environment a better place. We can see children playing happily in the sand dancing around in the clear blue sea. Thes skies are blue and clear of clouds. All around are people talking and laughing enjoying their time together. There was not a soul in this world who didn’t walk around without a smile on their face. Then, looking in further, I realised I was there a future me looking so happy and proud. Wow look at that, I haven’t seen myself smile so

broadly in so long. This truly is paradise! Sunbathing , getting a tan, little picnics on the beach! Parents can sit and talk without having to worry about the safety of their children, because they are safe and sound in this new life, no violence, no sadness and clear air. It is like a dream, puppies running along the sand barking , full of happiness and joy. Love is all around, people caring for each other no matter who they are or what they look like. It is a life of freedom and a life where you can live like you deser ve to live! Who wouldn’t want this? Feeling free and happy not a worry in sight or mind. So many smiles, such a healthy lifestyle. So many things happening we never would have dreamed would happen. This is the life. The life we always wanted. It’s our time to shine and show ourselves how powerful and amazing we really are. I always knew we could do it. I always believed in us and look we did it! I never want to leave this pleasant world who would want to go back to our world as we know it as today when we can live our lives in peace and harmony. Knowing that we are supported no matter what. And it happened the life everyone always dreamed of having the life we would have loved to live and now here we are and we are never leaving this life! Imagine just imagine.....

Participating Schools With thanks to the following schools, whose pupils’ wonderful work is included in this anthology:

Armfield Academy Blackpool Aspire Academy Highfield Leadership Academy St George’s School Unity Academy

“This anthology is a celebration of the creativity and achievements of young people across Blackpool. A huge congratulations to all the young writers involved and I’m thrilled that the National Literacy Trust could help to provide a platform for their voices.” - Jonathan Douglas CBE, Chief Executive, National Literacy Trust

Connecting Stories, funded by Arts Council England, aims to increase children and young people's interest in reading and writing, and to promote diverse voices and stories. Children and young people were invited to take part in a creative writing competition which has been judged by publishers, authors and community champions. This anthology celebrates their creativity and hard work. We hope all entrants feel extremely proud to see their story published and that this gives them the conﬁdence and passion to continue writing.