James's Celebration of Stanley

I found out that there were coal mines in Stanley, and that people like Kevin Keegan’s grandad worked in them—which I didn’t know before. I also learned that some people from Stanley have gone on to do really big things, like working in Hollywood, starring in major films, and even directing them. It shows that even though Stanley is a small town, people from here can achieve great things.

Stanley feels quite quiet now. It’s definitely calmed down since the days of the coal mines, but I think its history should be celebrated more. The mining past plays a big role in the town’s identity—for example, the school being built on the site of an old coal mine.

I’d love to see a football stadium here because I think there aren’t many big opportunities for young people who want a future in sport. We also need more spaces to play. A lot of buildings have been knocked down over the years, but nothing has been built in their place, which feels like a missed chance.

If there were more opportunities in Stanley, I think more people would get out of the house and spend their time doing positive things. It would give people something to be involved in. A big space in the centre of Stanley—somewhere to bring the community together—could really help make that happen.