Children’s visions of the future in Southend 2050 exhibition

November 7, 2018 by Southend Borough Council

An exhibition of posters, postcards and letters, designed by local school children in the Southend 2050 competition opened at the Focal Point Gallery last night (Tuesday 6 November)

The competition focused on how young people see our borough in the future, with the task of creating a poster promoting Southend to tourists in 2050 – or designing and writing a futuristic message on a postcard from the same time. Children of high school age were set the task of writing a letter from their future selves. The fruits of this imaginative competition will be available for the public to view in an exhibition at the Focal Point Gallery until Monday 12 November.

Over 350 creative and aspirational entries were received. A shortlist was drawn up, and 64 top entries were chosen to go on display. The grand winners in each category were announced at the opening of the exhibition last night, which was attended by over 150 children and parents. The Worshipful The Mayor Cllr Derek Jarvis, Southend-on-Sea Youth Council Mayor and Deputy Mayor Marco Mann and Amy Burdett announced and congratulated the winners and officially opened the exhibition.

The winning designs in each category were:

·         Letter for my future self – Henry Bagnell

·         Southend 2050 poster – Joseph Murphy

·         Southend 2050 postcard – Jack Shepherd

Cllr John Lamb, leader of the council, said: “We were staggered by the number and quality of the entries to the Southend 2050 competition. The Children who entered the competition will be between 37 and 50 years old in 2050!

“The postcards, letters and posters were inspiring, imaginative, creative and demonstrated very clearly the pride our young people have for the borough in which they live, study and play, and what they want and expect for their future.

“I would like to thank all who submitted entries, and congratulate those who were shortlisted. You have given the people of Southend a vibrant and inspiring exhibition to visit.”

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