Being “Monarch for a Day” is a very serious business - Surrey School survey reveals

Added: (Thu May 30 2002)

Pressbox (Press Release) - Belfry Shopping Centre Kids Survey
For Release Thursday 30th May

Being “Monarch for a Day” is a very serious business

Surrey School survey reveals

World peace, environmental issues, public services, drug taking and alcoholism are among the issues the monarch should tackle in the twenty first century according to School Children in Surrey.

These are the views of school children who took part in the Belfry Shopping Centre “Rule Britannia” survey.

Children were asked to submit their ideas as to what they would do if they were Monarch for a day. The entries make interesting reading. Whilst it would appear that kids would like less school, more sweets, and to win the World Cup, serious issues such as war, pollution, drink, drugs, poverty, hunger and inequality feature heavily.

Children were also asked “Should we have a Queen”. Views such as she “perform ceremonies”, gives to charity, sells Britain abroad and draws in tourists feature significantly. But some feel we should have a president, and that the Queen should not be so rich and famous. Many children don’t like the fact that the Queen is seen as “better” than ordinary people and that she is Queen by an accident of birth!

Summaries of some of the kid’s views are detailed below and can be seen displayed in The Belfry Shopping Centre - Cromwell Road Mall outside Marks and Spencer from Wednesday 29th May 2002.

“ Today’s children are clearly very aware of world issues as well as concerns on their own door steps,” said Centre Manager Maggi Bennett “We expected some serious entries, but it would appear that most children are concerned about the various conflicts currently causing concerns in the international environment, as well as concerns at home such as pollution, poverty, homelessness, and crime. We will forward these suggestions on to the Palace in time for the Jubilee weekend – and maybe Her Majesty will raise them at the next State Opening of Parliament! I would like to say a very big thank you to all the schools who sent in their pupil’s ideas – we really have enjoyed reading them all.”


Sample summary of entries


Sadhbh McLaughlin age 9 would help make money for the poor and homeless, and help find a cure for cancer.

James Day age 8 would abolish money; give more books to children and make Crystal Palace top of the league.

Holly Whitaker age 9 would give books to Africa, abolish kidnapping and animal cruelty, make everything in the shops free and let everyone have their ears pierced if they wanted.

Peter Chinnock age 9 would go to India and the Bahamas, make the school week Saturday to Sunday and have the rest of the week as the weekend.

Harry Fernando age 9 would make England win the World Cup, make everything in the shops free and make Charlton Athletic bottom of the league for five years.

Stewart Wilson age 10 thinks the queen should give her diamonds to charity, but that we should have a Queen otherwise we could have a total nutter ruling the country.

Connel Binnie age 8 would abolish warplanes, tanks and drugs that are bad for you.

Kiran Ghedia age 8 would abolish drugs, homework, taxes and hunting; build more hospitals and let children wear their own clothes to school and bring in their bikes, and gameboys.

Callum Allen age 7 would play all day in the sun and build a castle out of grass.

Richard Waterton age 6 would buy a Zorro suit, a sword and a horse.

End
Notes for editors

Further extracts available.


For further information please contact:
Steve Wilcock or Hazel Bedford
steve.wilcock@pmwcom.co.uk
hazel.bedford@pmwcom.co.uk
Tel 01403 783400
Fax 01403 783404