Life's one big joke for Blackpool youngsters

Organisers of the Get Blackpool Reading campaign have joined forces with Blackpool Grand Theatre to devise an exciting initiative together to celebrate the resort’s brilliant sense of humour and get children giggling during the long summer holidays.

They've come up with the idea for a comedy writing competition for children aged from four years to 11, inspired by the resort’s iconic Comedy Carpet landmark – a 2,200 square metre display of Britain’s best one-liners, found on the promenade.

Youngsters are being encouraged to fill out a template, identical to the famous carpet, with their favourite jokes and funnies shared with them by friends and family.

Some of the resorts schools had already received copies of the Comedy Carpet comedy writing resource before they closed for the summer holidays so they can get started at home with their families but they are available for everyone.

Get Blackpool Reading Campaign Manager, Laura Flinn, said: "We’re thrilled to be working alongside The Grand Theatre, Blackpool for this exciting competition.

"National Literacy Trust research has found that more children have been turning to funny books during lockdown, and that writing comedy resonates well with children who tend to be less engaged with literacy. We want to hone in on that passion and encourage the children of Blackpool to find the funny in literacy over the summer holidays. We can’t wait to have a chuckle at the entries."

Celine Wyatt, the head of creative learning at Blackpool Grand Theatre added: "The Grand Theatre loves it when families, friends and our local community feel uplifted by a visit to our friendly theatre to laugh out loud at our panto, our comedians and all the wonderful comedy plays on our stage and in our studio.

"We are proud partners in this comedy writing project and can’t wait to have our own laugh out loud moments when we see all the jokes and share them in our very first digital joke book. Get Blackpool Reading and Get Blackpool laughing."

Children have until September 4, just as the schools go back to enter and entries will be judged by representatives from Get Blackpool Reading and The Grand Theatre, Blackpool during the autumn term

The winning submissions will be included in a digital joke book, collated by The Grand Theatre, Blackpool, and entered into a prize draw to win a bundle of books and vouchers to buy tickets for a family theatre show.

Blackpool-based Comedy Performer and Writer Steve Royle said: "As part of the Blackpool Grand Theatre family I’m delighted to support the Get Blackpool Reading’s comedy writing competition. Blackpool is a town steeped in comedic history, and it’s a pleasure to help find the resort’s next big comic voice.

"I hope children across the town enjoy taking part in the activity and having a laugh with the people around them this summer."

Chairman of the Blackpool Opportunity Area Partnership Board, Graham Cowley, said: "It’s fantastic to see this focus on comedy and laughter, where children and families can put smiles on their faces through reading and writing during the summer. This competition is a fantastic way to keep children engaged and interested in literacy activities.”

The pack is available to download for free from the campaign’s website (getblackpoolreading.org.uk) and Facebook page (facebook.com/getblackpoolreading), where schools and families can also go to find out how to enter the competition.

Find out more about Get Blackpool Reading and how to enter the comedy writing competition by visiting getblackpoolreading.org.uk.

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