Design Your Neighbourhood exhibition comes to Focal Point Gallery

May 19, 2019 by Leigh-on-sea.com

A local competition aimed at gauging school children’s views on their ideal future neighbourhood in Southend will be displayed in an exhibition at the Focal Point Gallery. 

The ‘Design Your Neighbourhood’ competition ran from Friday 29 March until Friday 26 April, however the closing date was extended to Friday 10 May to allow those children who had been off at half-term some additional time to submit their entries. Council officers sent out invitations to all local schools and colleges. 

The overarching reasoning for the competition was to inform and involve young people in planning the future of the Borough, and was open to all children and young people who live or learn in the Borough. There were three categories:

·         Primary school aged 4-11

·         Secondary School aged 11-16

·         Further education aged 16-18 

The competition received some fantastic entries and they will be exhibited at the Focal Point Gallery on Tuesday 21 May – Sunday 26 May. The winners will be announced at the opening of the exhibition on Tuesday 21 May and will be awarded their prizes by The Worshipful The Mayor, Cllr John Lamb and Mayoress Pat Lamb. 

Peter Geraghty, director for planning and transport, said: “We have been overwhelmed with the brilliant submissions for the Design Your Neighbourhood competition and we are excited to share these with the rest of the community.

“Planning ahead is vital when considering future developments and hearing the views of young people across the Borough will allow us to hear even more views on what Southend should look like for people to live, work and play.”

The awards ceremony and opening night event will take place on Tuesday 21 May from 5.30pm – 6.30pm, with the awards being handed out at 6pm. The opening event and the exhibition is completely free to view.

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