Children's Express reporters talk to young people from Cowgate in Newcastle about the area they live in and how they would like to change it.
| The thing I would change is the rubbish, because it looks dis-graceful all over the floor. |
Amy Morrison, 13, Cowgate
I think if I could change something about the area that I live it would be
the field with all the cows. I would move them so we could have some parks. Sometimes it can get boring because there is only Blakelaw Park and it would be good to have another one on the moor because it would give us somewhere to play and stop life being boring.
I would not change the schools because children need education. I don't think that the council listens to us, though, because they often say they are going to build a park somewhere and then they don't. If I were rich I would help people living in poverty because I don't think it's fair. It's horrible because I know some that don't have any money and have no food and clothes.
Natalie Daglish, 15, Cowgate
I think that Cowgate's all right but I would have more parks and leisure centres. I would turn to the council for help because then it would mean we could all do stuff like play in the park. People need to learn, so schools need to be there. When the council says that they are going to do something they don't. I could let the council know through other people going to them like friends and teachers.
It's horrible seeing people who are poor, so if I were rich I would help them out. With a million pounds I would build better homes, a library and a swimming pool. I don't think that I live in poverty.
Ashley Wardle, 13, Cowgate
Where I live is okay, but parks would make people's lives better. I would build a local leisure centre because if it were not there we would get bored. We could organise a group to let the council know how we feel. There are children with hardly any food or clothing; people are bad and dying of lots of diseases. I would build lots of things for people to do to make the area better.
Jade Brewer, 9, Cowgate
It's terrible where I live. The one thing I would change is all the
rubbish because it looks disgraceful all over the floor. I'm not sure how I could change it, but it would make me happy if someone done something. I would try to get rid of all the dogs' muck everywhere. I wouldn't change everything because some of it is good. I don't think anyone listens to me. I would talk to the council. I would build brand new houses if I had a million pounds.
Neisha Smith, 10, Cowgate
The area I live in is good with lots of friendly people, but we need more parks built and a lot more houses. I would change it by telling the council how I feel and that would change the streets in the estate where I live. I do think the council listens to people because they have already built parks and youth clubs and after school clubs.
I don't live in poverty, but if I were rich I would help people who were poor because I feel sorry for them. With a million pounds I would help people who don't have much by building bigger houses and sports centres with things to do. I want to change the area.
Rebecca Slade, 12, Cowgate
The area I come from is a quiet area, although there is a lot of people driving around like lunatics. It could change if they arrested these people. I would turn to my family to make things change. I think I would keep the streets the same because kids play on them. I would put in a letter of complaint to the council to let them know how I feel.
I do think there is poverty on the estate and I would help them if I could. With a million pounds I would put a park in Cowgate because there is nothing for the kids to do. It's a disgrace that there is nowhere to play.
Roxanne Slade, 11, Cowgate
It's too noisy around here. I would change the streets because people play their music dead loud, they take drugs and put a bad influence on kids. I would have a word with the council about changing things and if they did not like what I said I would go to the press telling them that the council will not let us have what we want and keep trying until they do. I think it would then be safer for kids to play outside.
I would not change the houses and the people who live here except the bad ones. I think the council is ignorant to us. I would go and see them to make changes. I do think there is poverty around Cowgate.
About the team
This story was produced by Gavin Mather, 13, and Kirsten Caine, 12. Junior Jury is a weekly column published in the Newcastle Evening Chronicle.
