Meet Percy, our loveable smokefree penguin!
Percy went out and about in Medway this summer asking children to enter a drawing competition. The competition has now closed, and winning drawings will appear on signs in play areas around Medway, asking people not to smoke there. If you are a winner, your picture will be used on signs near where you live. You will also win some cool stuff for your school too!
In recent local research, the message was loud and clear: Medway residents think children’s outdoor play areas should be smoke free. Both those who smoke, and those who don’t were in favour of this. Aside from health benefits, research shows that when children see adults smoking in a family-friendly public place it; it makes children more likely to try it.
Percy's Blog
Hi! Welcome to my brand new blog! My name is Percy the Penguin.
So I was sat in my igloo in Antarctica reading the ‘Penguin Times’ when I saw an advert for a summer job in Medway, in the United Kingdom! I was so excited; I’ve always wanted to go to England! The job was to come to some events around Medway to meet lots of children, and then get them to draw amazing pictures asking adults not to smoke in areas where they play! My mum had always told me that breathing in second-hand smoke is really harmful for children so I was very keen to get this job.
I battled lots of other penguins at an interview and was so happy when I got a sea-mail telling me I’d got the job and could start in June 2011! I was sad to leave my brothers: Paul, Peter, Pecker, Pepper and Dave - but I packed by bags and headed to the airport feeling very nervous indeed. I needn’t have worried, the people at Medway Council took very good care of me and even built me my own igloo to live in so I didn’t get homesick – they also fed me lots of fish – YUM! How did they know it was my favourite?! Someone had also made me a nice scarf and hat to keep me warm, as I’ve been told British summers can be a bit temperamental! I didn’t have the heart to tell them I’m very used to the cold so I’ve been wearing it to be polite!
I'm very excited about my new job but I need you guys to help me. I will be travelling around to lots of events in Medway over the summer and need you to come and draw me some pictures of yourself having fun in the park. At the end of the summer if the judges decide your picture is chosen as a winner, it will be printed onto a sign at a local park! You will also win some great goodies for your school. Your lovely happy pictures will be made part of a sign asking adults not to smoke around your playgrounds as it's yucky!
If you can't make it to any of the events you can also post your drawings to me at: ‘Percy’s Picture Competition’, Public Health Team, Medway Council, Gun Wharf (Level 4), Dock Road, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4HN.
The Cherry Picnic, The Vines, Rochester, Kent
This was my first event, I was very nervous but there were lots of friendly smiling faces to greet me so I started to enjoy myself!
Today was a celebration of Kentish cherries with a variety of cherry-related craft stalls, competitions and children's activities, as well as the sale of Kentish cherries. I’d never tried a cherry before. It tastes really different to fish! One I’d tried one though I couldn’t stop. I had cherry cake too – I must remember to take some back home for my mum. I think she will like it too.
Everyone was so nice to me – I got lots of hugs, kisses and high fives! I think I made a new best friend too as she came back for about 5 cuddles - I could get used to this! We had some lovely pictures drawn too – I was very impressed! It rained a bit so for the first time I was very pleased to be wearing a hat. I wouldn’t have wanted all those people to see my fluffy hair!
Brompton Westbrook School Fun Day, Brompton, Chatham, Kent
Oh dear. I wasn’t feeling too well today – I think I must have eaten a bad fish! I decided to curl up in my igloo but asked my team from the Council to go and get me some nice pictures!
They told me it was a lovely sunny day and there was lots of activities going on in the school field. The Army and the Fire Brigade were there - I was very sad to have missed it! I want to sit in one of those big red fire trucks – it looks like so much fun. Fortunately I am feeling much better and am looking forward to getting out and about tomorrow. I am tucked up in my igloo now, have just been on the interweb and found this great website for any mummies or daddies wanting to give up smoking:
http://www.smokefreemedway.co.uk/ – night night!
The Woodlands Children’s Centre, Summer Fate, Gillingham, Kent
I woke up bright and early, bounced out of my igloo only to find that it wasn’t very summery weather - but lots and lots of rain! Boo! I will have to wear my hat and scarf AGAIN! After chugging down a big breakfast of fish, fish and more fish I set off to Gillingham – I’d never been there before – I was worried I’d get lost. Fortunately I found my way and was very happy to see that they had moved the fate indoors – yay! My hair won’t get all wet and fluffy! Ooh I had a lovely time! The staff were all lovely to me, the children were so much fun and gave me loaaaaads of cuddles and fuss! The MEND team were there selling cherries…yum! I managed to force some in!
I also learnt some martial arts moves AND met the Deputy Mayor! I must be VERY important, I thought. My mum would be so proud!
We had some brilliant picture entries – I am very impressed that there are so many good little artists in Medway! I wish I was better at drawing but it’s not that easy with fins! I’m better at dancing, and managed to have a boogie in the dance studio at Woodlands! (I really should have auditioned for Happy Feet, my cousin Jeff was in it you know!)
Capstone Country Park - Tiny Tots Event
Last week I was very lucky and went to Capstone Country Park! It's set on 114 hectares of former farmland set on the North Downs - very exciting. Sadly I can't walk that far so I stuck to the Lake, The Visitor Centre and The Playground! I had so much fun. I went to meet all the children at the 'Tiny Tots' arts and crafts session – where there was lots of painting and drawing. I got lots of hugs and was worried that I'd get my nice white belly covered in paint but the children were very good and all washed their hands first!
One of the nice park rangers took me for a walk around the lake...there were some people fishing and I was reaaaaaaally hoping I'd get a fish but no-one caught any when I was there. Oh well...maybe next time!
After all the excitement of being in the Visitors Centre I went down to the lovely playground to relax and was greeted by some children that were very excited to see me! I danced, I got high fives and best of all - lots of children drew pictures for my competition. There were loads of cool things to play on at the playground - I hope I get to go back and go on the zip line one day. I've been told I can go and visit Rochester Castle for the launch of Medway Mile! I've never been to a castle before - only a very big igloo and my uncle had put a flag in the top but I don't think that really counts.
