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Banksy, Britten and The Darkness inspire youngsters

Jon Wright
BBC News, Suffolk
Reporting fromLowestoft
BBC Three images - artwork on a street wall of a girls digging in the sand. Benjamin Britten wearing a suit and sitting in a chair (black and white) and Justin Hawkins from the Darkness with a guitar on stageBBC
Street artist Banksy's spraycation, composer Benjamin Britten and The Darkness are all referenced in the Suffolk Day proclamation

Composer Benjamin Britten, The Darkness and Banksy are being cited as positive influences for young people in an English seaside town.

Six students from three different high schools in Lowestoft have used the inspirations to help them write the 2025 Suffolk Day proclamation.

Their words, focusing on a "brighter future" for Britain's most easterly town, have been read at the Houses of Parliament ahead of a ceremony in Lowestoft on Suffolk Day - which is taking place on Saturday 21 June.

Suffolk Day, inspired by Yorkshire Day, was started in 2017 and is celebrated on the summer solstice, as Ness Point is the first to see the sunrise.

Andrew Sinclair/BBC Six school students stand on steps inside Parliament. Six Mps are gathered in front listening.Andrew Sinclair/BBC
Students read their proclamation on the steps of Westminster Hall at the Houses of Parliament to six of the county's eight MPs

Lily-Rose and Tilly from Benjamin Britten Academy, Beth and Ella from Ormiston Denes Academy, and Willow and Naomi from East Point Academy each wrote parts of the proclamation.

It starts with: "We want to tell you about the bright future that awaits Lowestoft. A place where creativity and community thrive."

Beth, 15, included references to Suffolk councils declaring a climate crisis in 2019, and pledging action.

She said: "It does provide our area with hope, because we can see the impact it has had on our local area."

Jon Wright/BBC Two teenage school pupils wearing ties and blazers sit in front of a wild flowers and a brick buildingJon Wright/BBC
Beth, 15, and Ella, 14, focused on the environmental work happening in Lowestoft and the growing offshore renewables industry

The proclamation continues: "Art and culture are the bright future of Lowestoft.

"We are the birthplace of Benjamin Britten and his inspirational music that transcended the globe.

"We are the canvas for Banksy's spraycation. We are home to three flourishing theatres.

"Moreover, Lowestoft was the maiden voyage for the award-winning band The Darkness."

Lily-Rose said: "There's a lot of art around the town. They've done lots to incorporate arts and culture where we live."

Jon Wright/BBC Two school pupils in blue shirts and ties.Jon Wright/BBC
Tilly, 14, and Lily-Rose, 14, focused on the arts scene in Lowestoft and the influence of Benjamin Britten, who their school is named after

The proclamation continues: "As we look ahead, Lowestoft stands tall as a beacon of progress and pride - a town where the spirit of innovation meets the warmth of tradition.

"From our historic roots to our forward-thinking future, we are a community united by purpose and place."

The Suffolk Day ceremony includes presenting medals to celebrate community achievements, and moves to a different host town each year.

This year events in Lowestoft coincide with the annual First Light Festival, which takes place on the beach on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 June.

Jon Wright/BBC Two school pupils in dark blazers and ties.Jon Wright/BBC
Willow, 14, and Naomi, 15, wrote about the mix of history and civic pride they have in their hometown
Not 'just' a seaside town... the Suffolk Day 2025 proclamation

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