top of page

2022 Year 4 First Prize
Matchgirls by Asiya

My work was tough in the factory,

​

Aching legs and sore arms, my everyday feelings.

​

The girls around me, as young as 6 years old.

​

Cancer, spreading through our bones, devouring us each.

​

How we craved justice, you wouldn’t comprehend.

​

Gritting the few teeth we had left, we decided to take strike …

​

It was 1888, and our protest had been successful

​

Respect and freedom is what we finally received.

​

London, Bow, a factory of labour was finally destroyed.

​

So, as worthless as people thought of us, we DID make a difference and gain the appreciation we deserved.

Blue Gate.png

On 5th July 2022, a new English Heritage Blue Plaque was unveiled at Bow Quarter (the old Bryant and May Factory) to commemorate the Matchgirls Strike of 1888. 

​

The Matchgirls Memorial ran a schools poetry competition to celebrate the unveiling. 

​

Judges were Alice Trickey-Roberts, English Heritage Education Visits Officer, Tanya Landman, Author, Emma Purshouse, Writer and 

Poet. 

​

Asiya from Blue Gate Fields Primary School won First prize in the Year 4 category with the poem, 'Matchgirls'.

bottom of page