Young people team up with Lottery Winners to write hometown anthem

Young people in a Greater Manchester town have teamed up with chart-topping indie pop band the Lottery Winners to record to spread "joy and pride" about their hometown.

'Song for Leigh' was premiered before thousands of people at the bands homecoming show at Leigh Sports Village last Saturday.

Kerrick Mills, who was one of the performers who sang on the track, told BBC Radio Manchester watching the song played out in front of the crowd was "phenomenal".

Lottery Winners' frontman Thom Rylance said working class communities were "overflowing with brilliant songwriters, artists and dreamers, they just don't always get the same opportunities or encouragement."

He said working with the Lottery Winners alongside other people his age was "surreal".

"I haven't been in a proper recording studio before seeing how everything works behind the scenes, and making a full song was just a once in a lifetime opportunity for me."

Rylance said the band "know what it feels like to grow up thinking those worlds aren't built for people like us".

"So if we can help open a few doors, share what we've learned, or make someone believe they belong, then that matters just as much as any chart position ever will."

The song features pupils from Bedford High School, Lowton High School and the Spirix Youth Theatre, which is based in Wigan and Leigh.

Their involvement began as part of a project to get young people from Leigh involved in songwriting session to share their experience and hopes the future of their town.

Lyrics were written by the group, who were supported to rehearse and record by The Lottery Winners.

A 'Song for Leigh' music video has also been released to celebrate young people in Leigh involved in music, dance and the visual arts.

It has been led by Amy Hodgson, a producer from local dance collective Spirix, and funded by Down to Earth and Arts Council England.

All the proceeds from the song will go to local arts and education charity the Gill David Trust.

There are about 500 creative businesses in Wigan but only 1.5% of local jobs are in the creative sector, below the 4% Greater Manchester average, according to a study looking at creative industries in the borough by consultants WeMadeThat.

Marti Boardman, one of the young performers, said: "I don't think there are enough opportunities for young artists like us to help us carry on in the industry and help us with our dreams, and I think more needs to be done about it."

"The experience was amazing. To be working with some big names in the music industry is really a once in a lifetime opportunity and I've learnt so many things along the way that I can then use to help myself progress in the industry."

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