On Tuesday 5th July, a plaque to commemorate the Bryant & May Matchgirls and their famous strike of 1888, was unveiled by the actor Anita Dobson. Seven students at Blue Gate Fields Juniors won prizes in ‘Sparkcatchers', a children’s poetry competition on the subject of that strike, and The Matchgirls struggle for better working conditions. The competition was run by The Matchgirls Memorial, a charitable organisation.
We had a great day in the sunshine, listening to the speeches, reading out our poems, and having a lovely picnic!
All the winning entries have been published on the Matchgirls Memorial website. https://www.matchgirls1888.org/
See below for the 1st prize winners in Year 4 and Year 5.
We had a great day in the sunshine, listening to the speeches, reading out our poems, and having a lovely picnic!
All the winning entries have been published on the Matchgirls Memorial website. https://www.matchgirls1888.org/
See below for the 1st prize winners in Year 4 and Year 5.
Matchgirls
My work was tough in the factory,
Aching legs and sore arms, my everyday feelings.
The girls around me, as young as 6 years old.
Cancer, spreading through our bones, devouring us each.
How we craved justice, you wouldn’t comprehend.
Gritting the few teeth we had left, we decided to take strike …
It was 1888, and our protest had been successful
Respect and freedom is what we finally received.
London, Bow, a factory of labour was finally destroyed.
So, as worthless as people thought of us, we DID make a difference and gain the appreciation we deserved.
By Asiya
Year 4
My work was tough in the factory,
Aching legs and sore arms, my everyday feelings.
The girls around me, as young as 6 years old.
Cancer, spreading through our bones, devouring us each.
How we craved justice, you wouldn’t comprehend.
Gritting the few teeth we had left, we decided to take strike …
It was 1888, and our protest had been successful
Respect and freedom is what we finally received.
London, Bow, a factory of labour was finally destroyed.
So, as worthless as people thought of us, we DID make a difference and gain the appreciation we deserved.
By Asiya
Year 4
The Boss’s Story
Day 1
Outrageous!
Nobody has come. We have to give them a big fine!
Day 2
The matches aren’t gonna make themselves. Yes, they better come!
Day 3
Mmmmm, what’s this? They’re on strike?
Fools!
Day 4
They want better conditions and a raise?
Never!
Day 5
They’re lucky they’re not fired!
Day 6
I’ll test the conditions. See what the fuss is about.
Day 7
It’s impossible to work here!
They’re getting a big raise and better conditions.
Right this instant!
By Ayyub
Year 5
Day 1
Outrageous!
Nobody has come. We have to give them a big fine!
Day 2
The matches aren’t gonna make themselves. Yes, they better come!
Day 3
Mmmmm, what’s this? They’re on strike?
Fools!
Day 4
They want better conditions and a raise?
Never!
Day 5
They’re lucky they’re not fired!
Day 6
I’ll test the conditions. See what the fuss is about.
Day 7
It’s impossible to work here!
They’re getting a big raise and better conditions.
Right this instant!
By Ayyub
Year 5