Sean's Postcard: I wish you were here

Auntie

I am wishing you well in Spain. Is it near the beach? Got any habits like sun bathing? I'm in Padiham it's been snowing all the way through the past week, I wish I was sun bathing with you if you are near the beach. I haven't visited yet, hopefully by the end of the year I would have won enough by gambling on roulette which I always go on this game with a few pounds. Are you in a bungalow or in a chalet? Do you have a garden with palm trees growing plants? Kids okay? I haven't seen them yet do they play badminton on the beach or do they like the speedo banana boat?

Wish you were here or I was there with you!

Lots of love

Sean Holt

THREE WISHES

If I had 3 wishes..... by Billi

I wish i would become a nurse without having to go to university and have the knowledge without doing anything...

I wish i would pass my driving without having to take lessons or doing any tests

And my final wish would be for eternal happiness with no worries

If these wishes were granted i wouldn't have anything to worry about and i would be happy. Nothing bad would happen if these wishes were granted bacause it is what i want.

Emma's Poem: My Wishes

W is for... A Wild Adventure with Anne.
H is for... Have tea with Anne.
I is for... Ice-skating with Anne.
S is for... shopping with Anne for new clothes.
H is for... have a chat and a brew with Anne.
E is for an Evening walk with Anne.
S is for Swimming with dolphins, in Spain, on my own!

Emma's Postcard: I wish you were here...

Dear Anne

I am in Spain and it is really hot - not like Burnley! I am in the pool and it is big and there is a massive waterslide and I am lying in the sun and I am eating Spanish food and dancing with Spanish men, witn Ronaldo sitting next to me having a chat. I went shopping with my boyfriend's mum, getting to know her better.

Love from Emma

P.S Enclosed with this postcard is a ticket, free, to come to Spain. Wish you were here, see you soon, Bye, Emma.

If i had 3 wishes

my first wish would be to win tonight's euro millions jackpot of 113m. the first thing i would buy would be lots of fast cars i would need somewhere to put them and drive them so i would buy a big estate and have race tracks built and rally tracks built i would also employ a team of mechanics. With all that money i would share it fairly with my friends and family i would go on holidays alot and go to every f1 and world rally races,however all this money would bring bad news as i would be partying getting high and taking lots of drugs which would get me into trouble with the law

my second wish would be for eternal life although i would have the choice of dieing i would be able to see the world evolve and adapt to the modern world however the more i think about this gift the more i think i would regret wishing for it as i would have to see my friends and family grow old and die even my own kids and gran kids so a better wish would be to time travel that way the possibilities would be endless as i could witness anything i wanted i could stop disasters such as 911 and 7/7 terrorist attacks and also give warning to natural disasters like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions

my third and wish would be to have the ability to fly that way i could go anywhere i wanted when i wanted as i have i have eternal life i could go and see places the human eye has never seen

I if I had three wishes...

I'd wish for a luckey scratch card winnings for a thousand pounds,most I've won is seven pounds at somerfields once. second wish to win on a lottery tickets which I have never done. third wish would be win on on either scratch card or on a lottery ticket and buy a puppy bullmastiff and I would get its beddings and some toys for the dog, rather get a dog than a bitch and take it for walks down gawthorpe hall.I've already got a dog a jack russel and if my third wish was granted I would get it training with my first dog,and the jack russel would train the over dog.

Sean holt.

I wish I'd never....

Me and my dogs wishing not to go away from home with the dog wardenback to the kennel. only got one dog now a jack russel got rid of the bullmastiff because we got a new sofa. there was know room in the house so we gave it away with the lead and colar that costs us money thats my regret,it wasnt me who gave the bullmastiff to the dog warden it was my mums choice.

Sean holt

When Prince Charles came to town

Hello, I’m Ruth. Last week, on the 5th of February, the young people had a very special visitor – Prince Charles. Ok, so he didn’t actually come into the workshop, he walked across the football ground in front of a local press pack with some young players in the background playing kick around. He then walked up the stand steps into a room with Burnley’s local dignitaries where he chatted for a bit. We think that he chatted, but we wouldn’t know as we were watching this from behind a big window!

When the Prince came for a cup of tea

So for my first workshop with the young people, I asked the group to develop their own tour of Burnley. We started with thinking about how we would feel when we met him, if he had come through our door – maybe a bit unsure of whether to curtsey or bow, maybe confrontational what we would show him, and why. We explored what Prince Charles would want to see, what his interests are, such as Townley Hall and its beautiful gardens or Offshoots and its eco credentials. And we also explored what the group thought Prince Charles should see – from their house or going round to their Aunties for tea, to Asda so he can do his own shopping or Burnleywood so he can see the real Burnley. We then thought about how he and they might feel after they had spent the day together – maybe sad to see him go, or like they’d done something good for Burnley and that their tour might have changed something, and maybe the Prince would be determined to change things that he’d seen here.

What the group said about meeting the Prince...

Emma thought she’d be nervous, shocked, and polite when she met him, and happy. She wanted to show him the woods near her house, get him to meet her family, and go to the park and canal to get some peace and quiet. She’d be proud of meeting him and proud of the things she showed him.

Sean, after being pleased and happy to meet him, wanted to have a day of fun and games. He’d take the Prince bowling and swimming, and teach him snooker, have a game at the Bingo to maybe win some money, before going to the pub. The prince would have a day with normal people doing normal things, and when he’d gone Sean would be happy and relieved, but buzzing!

Billi decided she’d be anxious and surprised, confused, but would smile at the Prince when he turned up in the workshop! She wanted to take him to Offshoots, because he’d be interested in the eco friendly work they do there. And she’d take him to see some Burnley history, like Townley Hall, and Weaver’s Triangle, an old mill which she thought would be very different from his normal environment. And then she decided that he’d need some tea, so she’d take him to Macdonalds, because it would be a big change for him! She thought that she would have enjoyed the day, but
would be a bit relieved when he went.

And Chris thought he would be surprised, and laugh when the Prince came into the room! He’d take in on a tour of sights he wouldn’t see in Windsor – like the inside of Burnley A & E where he’d have to wait in the queue with everyone else, to do his own shopping in Asda, And the magistrates court to see that people need a chance if they’re unlikely to have another. He’d take them to Burnleywood, and then to some pubs and clubs (before maybe going to A&E again). Chris thought he’d be calling him by his first name by the end of the day, and be proud and happy that the Prince had seen what normal people see and do day to day.

Fantasy Burnley

After a break – and the Prince was still hanging around chatting and drinking tea at this point – we did an exercise about how we felt about Burnley. We thought about what we’d rip down and get rid of if we wanted a perfect Burnley: maybe places like Burnleywood, maybe we’d get rid of unemployment and crime. And we thought about what a fantasy Burnley would include in its plans, and came up with some brilliant ideas, like
a rollercoaster, a racetrack, a massive statue of Ronaldo and a beach. And then the Prince went to see something else on his visit so we said goodbye.

We’ve got to mention Chrissie’s theme park, which everyone thought was a great idea to have in the middle of Burnley – maybe one to put to the town planners!

The Alternative Royal Tour

But our alternative Royal visit was just starting – we split into two groups, and the boys and girls each devised their route round not only the real Burnley, but also the fantasy Burnley. Each group wanted to show him different places, and to share a day where he’d understand what it’s like to be a young woman or man in Burnley – and then we reported on what their day would be like!

You can hear the news reports, and see where the young people wanted to take the Prince, just below. I think the prince would have had an unforgettable day, either way!

The girl’s day

They’d start with a McDonald’s breakfast, because he’s probably never been before. Then they’d visit the Ronaldo Shrine and Chrissie’s theme park. They’d sit on the bench near TK Maxx because it’s got some sculptures of people sat there. They’d spend the Prince’s money on clothes, and go shopping before getting a coffee in Costa. They’d go to Offshoots so that the Prince could do something he enjoyed, and the girls would end their day with the Prince by having a sauna and massage
at a spa, before having a glass of champagne.

We all agreed that the girls would have got loads out of this day! I think the girls are missing the Prince in the picture...

The boy’s day

The boys wanted to show the Prince what it was really like to like in Burnley. They would take to Burnleywood where they’d look at how bad it is and score some draw. They’d take him for a hair cut and get him a tattoo, before going to the pound shop to buy stuff he might need for a flat. They’d go to the leisure centre and then swimming at the fantasy beach, to show him what you could do if you wanted to relax a bit. Then they’d go for a smoke and get him pissed at the pub before spending some of his cash at the bookies and the fantasy racetrack.

And a special mention needs to go to Andy, because he’d get the Prince to fund a media studio where he’d employ people to make animation!

Andrew's Poem

First Thing.

I go to bed at night thinking my condition
will go away, but when i get up its bloody
still there.

I struggle to get in the bath and eventually
get there, I pray and hope this bloody pain will just go away.

The module at present is the reason of the
day, but there is so many struggles for me to be there.

The big daunting hill to the bus stop is a big problem,
But when i get there the achivment is a big satisfaction.

The Module is good but can be more fun, would life be easier if i carried a gun.

I hope i get somewhere one day, but i know its gonna be a struggle to get to that day.

Ed and Mohamed's Poem

I get up at six and pray
I read my Quran ans sets me for the day
For Eddie, Jesus is the way.
What would you say?

I get to work and take up my pen.
Damn the computer is on again!
I check my dairy and Maggie turns away.

I look out of the window and see those green hills
Makes me wonder what Jeff sees in those dark satanic mills.
But someone has nicked the lead off the roof.

The reality is that I don't care.
But just for today.

Showell, Jordan and Chrissi's Poem

Woke up in the morning
Still yawning
Thinking, 'why's my life boring?'

Got out of bed
Still scratching my head
Wot we gonna do with my day
Is my life gonna always be this way?

So I do my hair thinking
Life is not fair
Wracking my brain,
Wondering - is he going to be there?
And what to wear.
Makeup, and hair.

Chris's Poem

BUSES

i weight and weight

Thumb the bus until it indicates

In the wind in the rain

I catch the bus from Brogden lane

Stopping and starting all the way

It seems to take all fucking day

Lots of cars going past

How long will this last

Traffic jams and traffic lights

Jealous of the slimline bikes

Then finally at the station

Get of the bus to all the commotion

Billi's poem

My Day

Morning dawns I need a fag
A breath of life can be a drag
Brother is screaming
I step on the bus
Fear was gripping me
Now I don't care
Because truth has set me free

I go to the club
Walking on air
Looking to the future
No more cares

It's fun time Friday
Everyone is here
The sun is shining
And my head is clear

But fear is gripping me, an injection is to come
The thought of a needle
The flush, the plaster
I know the fear, i will overcome
A thought can't hold me, love can

Shaun's Poem

I come to the module on the bus
Each day with no fuss.
The coffee is great - instead of milk - coffeemate.
I walk Scrappi my dog and he's relieved for the day.

After the module I go and play footy -
And that's the high-light of my day!

I go home and get a rough look off Scrappi,
Damn he needs a shower coz he looks so messy.
After a long day we chill out on the sofa.

I rest my feet and write a poem that's neat!

Billi's Poem

ME

Feeling all alone
I glance at the Callone
A thought of my Ex
Puts me in a mess
The four walls of my roomis all I can see
Maybe one day I'll find the real me

I'm going shopping with my mum
Out the four walls is more fun
But the fears still inside
But I'm not going to hide
Life goes on and wht's done is done

Today am living for today
I've got a smile on my face
My eyes are no longer in a trance
And i feel like i can dance

I hope to be happy
With not a care in the world
And that day doesn't look like its too far

Emma's Poems

Denis The Dog

My dog is pain in the bum
When I'm sitting on the couch trying to watch telly.
Emmerdale, Coronation Street and Eastenders
Holby City, Casualty
With a bowl of popcorn on my knee and a bottle of wkd on the arm of the chair.
Denis the dog jumps up
Gets carried away jumping about and chasing his tail
And the popcorn goes all over the place.

Burnley Football Club

When I get up, the place I like going
Is Burnley Football Club.
The pitch is glowing.
I see my friends and have a brew
There are so many things we get to do.
Music is my favourite thing.
I like girls aloud and I love to sing.

Workshop 2: All About Me

Hello. My name is Jenn and on the 22nd of January I went to Burnley Football ground to meet with a group of young people and hold a creative writing workshop. We started gently, with a discussion and collage session where we could get to know each other.

Each of the young people made a collage that represented some aspect of their personality - the thing about them that made them special and unique. Then we took turns talking about the collages, and uploading pictures and comments to this blog. Scroll down to see the rest of the pictures from a very productive morning!

www.jennashworth.blogspot.com

Here's Chrissi, Jordan and Billi posing with their finished collages.


Here's me and Chrissi, posing with her pink mosaic. I don't think I was supposed to be in this picture!

The Finished Product

Here are a few of the finished collages from the first Writing Workshop - we're going to use these collages and the discussion that inspired them as creative writing prompts for next week's session.

From the top, there's work by Jordan, Billi, Andrew, Emma (already hard at work and ahead of the game with writing!) Chris, and Chrissi - who's pink mosaic is a work in progress.

Hard at Work

Despite appearances to the contrary, the group were hard at work this morning making collages all about themselves!

I asked them to cut out pictures and words that described what was special and unique about their personality.

Emma did her collage about animals. She loves their soft fur and has a dog called Dennis at home so a collage about animals was an easy choice.

Billi chose lots of pictures of handbags, shoes and of course Ronaldo - not just one picture, but FOUR! You wanted to sum up your girly interests - although she doesn't watch football much she will make an exception for Ronaldo.

Sean's collage (pictured below) was all about Manchester United. Sean liked doing the collage so much (and managed to get his hands on a working pair of scissors) so finished two in the time we had available. I can't wait to see what Sean writes in the next workshop. I bet it will be about football!

Chrissi's collage was a mosaic in pink - and reflected her love of all things pink! During the session I learned her bedroom was totally decorated in pink, and she'd even brought a spare pink tee-shirt to get changed into later, after the boxing workshop she was planning to take part in that afternoon.

Jordan's workshop reflected his interest in the more beautiful things in life - he also took a leaf out of Chrissi's book and cut out some pink lettering to decorate his collage. Very artistic!

Here's a picture of Sean. Sean made two collages about his favourite hobby - football. He's especially interested in Manchester United. The collages were inspirations for pieces of writing we will be doing in future workshops about ourselves.

On Friday 15th January, I was delighted to be introduced to the group. I am Sarah Hicks by the way! I work as an artist and was invited to come and run a session with the group using graffiti art. We only had a limited time, so spray cans and paint were out of the question. Instead, we designed graffiti 'tags' to represent our identity and personality. Despite voicing doubts that they couldn't draw and were rubbish at art, every single member of the group worked really hard and was genuinely surprised with what they managed to achieve- something that they thought was impossible! Each piece was completely unique, and said something about the artist, be it through the use of colour and pattern, the choice of letter style or the images and embellishments that went with the text.
It was a joy to work with such a pleasant group of young people. I wish them all the very best for the future.
Sarah
(www.sarahhicksart.co.uk)

Showel reckons that she's part angel and part devil! I only met the angel half though!

A few images of the group hard at work. Spot the only photo of Jordan. He had to leave before the end of the session, but did a great design before he went.

Sean discovered that he is really really good at designing characters.

Emma, too, was amazed and very proud of her work. She never thought she'd be able to do anything this good!

Chrissi's colours reflect her favourite team. Oh look- there are the players in the background!

'Billi' went for the spots and stripes effect. It looks amazing and she was genuinely surprised that she had managed to do such an ace piece of art by herself.

The finished art work and beaming smiles.

All very proud of the work- and rightly so!

(Good faces, by the way, ladies!)

Welcome to Inspire Burnley!

This blog has been started to showcase the work of the attendees on the Inspire Burnley Creative Workshops series run by They Eat Culture for NHS Blackburn with Darwen / Lancashire Condition Management Programme.

Please do look at the work produced by the participants. And if you are a participant on the course, please do look and comment on the work - this is something you've all done, together!

For more on They Eat Culture, please look at www.theyeatculture.org