Cllr Rachel Fryer

Green councillors have put forward proposals to see the world famous ‘Poems on the Underground’ project brought to Brighton & Hove's buses. City Cllr Rachel Fryer, the Greens Education spokesperson, has called on the council to investigate rolling the project out across the city as part of the new Reading Strategy.

Rachel said:
“While there is much to be praised in the council’s new strategy, in particular the inclusion of the aim to ‘encourage a love of reading’, it doesn’t go far enough, and there is too much focus on achievement - even for the under 5s, who wouldn't be learning to read in other countries.
 
“Greens believe reading must be about more than attainment – it should be about enjoyment. With this in mind, we’ve asked the council to investigate rolling out a programme of ‘Poems on the Buses’, much like Poems on the Underground in London.
 
“This world famous project sees six new poems displayed in tube carriages across London every season, and has been the inspiration for similar projects around the world - in Dublin, Adelaide, Melbourne, St Petersburg and most recently Shanghai to name just a few.
 
“Making poetry a part of everyday life means making reading a part of everyday life – for whoever is on the bus. This can only help improve literacy rates across the city.”

For more information about the Greens view: www.brightonandhovegreenparty.org.uk