A Blackpool Banquet is a published collection of stories, recipes and poems written for and by local families, based around the theme of food and community.
It’s the culmination of a year-long campaign designed to inspire children and young people to discover the benefits of reading, writing and self-expression. The campaign was launched as a result of Reading and writing for enjoyment in Key Stage 2 children being at an all-time low across the North West. Children who don't read for pleasure are at risk of missing out on the crucial benefits that reading and writing can bring to their literacy skills. Our research shows that low literacy levels can also make it harder for children to get the most out of life.
The work of the National Literacy Trust in Blackpool aims to bring literacy to life within local communities, and collaborate with local community organisations. A Blackpool Banquet was developed in partnership with Blackpool Catering Services, who support children’s education through food and agree that literacy skills are needed in order for children to grow, learn and thrive.
A Blackpool Banquet
As with food, reading and writing are activities that can be shared and enjoyed with others. With this in mind, the National Literacy Trust in Blackpool developed A Blackpool Banquet - a year's worth of fun classroom resources, community events and at-home activities for families; all inspired by the weird and wonderful examples of food in children's books. Whilst our Blackpool Banquet campaign is now wrapped up and the anthology has been published, teachers can still access engaging lesson plans, and our ongoing events and activities in the communities outside of the school gates will empower parents with the knowledge and confidence to support their children’s enjoyment of reading and writing at home.
Why is this important?
When children and young people enjoy reading and writing in their free time, their writing skills, critical thinking skills, confidence, creativity and wellbeing benefit.
Children and young people who write at least once a month in their spare time said the process of writing helps them to be creative, express their ideas and imagination, express their thoughts and feelings, relax, feel happy, and can even help them get a better job when they grow up.
Meanwhile, when children and young people enjoy reading in their free time, they find it easier to relax, feel happy, learn new things, understand the views of others, learn about other cultures, and be confident.
That's why A Blackpool Banquet was developed to inspire children to read and write for pleasure, helping them to develop the literacy skills they need to thrive.
Request a copy of the anthology
We have donated copies of A Blackpool Banquet to each of Blackpool's Libraries, and a copy to each school who took part. Our network of volunteer Literacy Champions is also sharing them in their own communities. If you're struggling to get your hands on a copy, send us an email with your name, address and contact details, and we'll do our best to get it to you!
Email the team blackpool@literacytrust.org.uk
A Blackpool Banquet lesson plans
We have developed termly lesson plans in line with the national curriculum for teachers to use and adapt to their class' needs.
