Pupils’ poem is fit for a King

The students are thanked by councillor Janet Emsley at Falinge Park High School, (L-R) Caroline Kennedy, councillor Janet Emsley, Muhammad Yahya Khan, Niamh Cummins, Jaiyana Khatun, Mohammed Zain and Iqra Iqbal

Students at Falinge Park High School who penned a special poem to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III received a thank you visit from the deputy leader of Rochdale Borough Council this week.

Working with the M6 Theatre Company, the year seven and eight students wrote the poem that appeared on 32,000 souvenir bookmarks that were given by the council to every child from reception to year 11 in the borough earlier this month to mark the occasion.

As King Charles III is a strong advocate on climate issues, the bookmarks were made from 100 per cent biodegradable seed paper that will grow into wildflowers if planted.

Councillor Emsley who visited the school to meet the poets and thank them for their efforts said: “We wanted to support some emerging young poets and collectively they came up with some fantastic original words that appeared on these bookmarks. The King’s Coronation was a truly historic event and I’m so proud of them all for helping create something unique. Giving children the opportunity to plant wildflowers will help our young people understand the importance of improving biodiversity and tens of thousands of people in the borough will have read your words. While many will be planted there will be plenty saved as souvenirs too.”

Caroline Kennedy, participation director at M6 Theatre added: “These brilliant young people came up with some wonderful ideas and it’s great to see them being brought to life in this way. It really was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I’m so pleased M6 Theatre were able to support it.”

The poem written by Niamh Cumins, Iqra Iqbal, Jaiyana Khatun, Mohammed Yahya Khan, Mohammed Zain and Isabelle King:

Living in a moment of history. An innovator, a radical thinker, a breath of fresh air.
Re-wilding our thoughts on nature, trust in young minds, millions of passions connected.
Time to celebrate!
Flags, coronation chicken and cake.
‘A dreamer in a modern world’
God save the King!

If you have one of the Coronation bookmarks and have planted it, the council are encouraging you to share photos of the flowers as they grow, on social media using #BookmarksInBloom.