Warwickshire News Mine

Leamington band Nizlopi have continued their international success since they famously went to number one in 2005 with their JCB Song which was all about a young boy wishing his dad’s digger could demolish school bullies.

Nizlopi are supporting a creative initiative to get young people to write their own anti-bullying songs, plays, poems and messages for Anti-bullying Week from 19-23 November. The activities, which are being coordinated by Warwickshire’s Anti-Bullying Partnership, will be taking place in schools, youth centres, PODs and Connexions Centres throughout the week.

Pupils are performing anti-bullying songs and plays in schools while there will be the chance to win £50 of High Street vouchers by writing antibullying messages and dropping them into PODs and Connexions centres throughout the county. To stamp out the growing area of cyber-bullying by text and email, all members of the community will be encouraged to sign up to Warwickshire’s online anti-bullying pledge through http://www.wpthezone.co.uk/cyberbullying

Nizlopi band members, Luke Concannon and John Parker who are currently on tour in Ireland, sent a special message back home to support the week. They said: “We’re pleased to be backing anti-bullying week in Warwickshire and we would urge everyone to get involved whether it’s creatively or by signing the pledge. It doesn’t matter if you can sing or not, it’s important to use the week to send out a clear message that bullying is not inevitable or acceptable.”

Warwickshire anti-bullying partnership is made up of Warwickshire County Council, Schools, Warwickshire Police and a range of other agencies including Connexions, Relate, Victim Support and the Children’s Fund. 
Rachel Evans, Anti-Bullying Coordinator for Warwickshire County Council, said: “We are so delighted that Nizlopi are backing the campaign. They are great local ambassadors and their own anti-bullying message was strong enough to go to number one. We hope that their example encourages other young people to use their creative talents to support the week.”

Every November Anti-bullying Week, which is organised by the Anti-bullying Alliance, shines a light on bullying, sending a clear and positive message that bullying is not acceptable or inevitable.

The theme this year is bullying in the community – ‘Safer together, safer wherever’ reminding us that we all have a role to play in keeping children safe wherever they are.

For more information log onto http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/bullying

For opening times and the location of Connexions Offices and PODs please check via http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/youngpeople

Link to WCC