Young people at Malton School have been putting democracy and music together for Ryedale District Council’s “Crash Bang Ballot” Democracy Rocks Up project.
The project is a sequel to the successful events run in 2015 and once again uses old metal ballot boxes as instruments.
The young people were supported by Libby Pearson, Community Arts Coordinator, and Billy Hickling, who has 15 years’ experience as a performer and rehearsal director with the international stage show STOMP!
The film they have produced is now available on the Council’s website and social media, and is being used to raise awareness of voter registration and voting for young people.
Simon Copley, Democratic Services Manager and Deputy Returning Officer, who came up with the idea for Democracy Rocks Up, said, “It is really exciting that Democracy Rocks and Crash Bang Ballot are making a return. This year’s film speaks for itself, showing how engaged the participants were in both the drumming and the conversations about voting and democracy. With the referendum next month, these are really topical issues to be considering and the feedback from those who took part was very positive.”
One of the participants said, “This kind of drumming method is a great way because it engages people and makes them more interested than if we were sat in a classroom.”
Young people can register at the age of 16 and vote at 18. Applications to register can be made online at gov.uk/register-to-vote.
The deadline for registering to vote in the forthcoming referendum on the United Kingdom’s membership of the European Union is midnight on Tuesday 7 June. If you are already registered to vote, you do not need to register separately for the referendum.
For further information please contact Simon Copley, telephone 01653 600666 (ext 277) or email simon.copley@ryedale.gov.uk.