GRAIN Projects are working in Knowle, Warwickshire, to explore the idea of Freedom through collaborations with the community, offering multiple ways to engage in workshops and interventions around the theme.

‘Our Freedom: Then and Now’, is part of a national project taking place in 60 arts centers and libraries, and in 20 museums over the next six months, in commemoration of the end of the Second World War 80 years ago in 1945.

GRAIN Projects will use photography as a tool to explore what freedom means to individuals and communities today, including creating new photographs and exploring people’s personal archives such as memorable pictures from family albums.

Commissioned by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, and working in collaboration with poet and literary specialist Emily Holton, Knowle groups will include the library, British Legion and community choir.

The programme is delivered in partnership with Libraries Connected and Open Eye Gallery, supported using public funding by UK Government through Arts Council England.   For more information https://ourfreedom.org.uk/

‘If we want to walk along Freedom Road
then away we go.  It’s a slog at times
but look at the views: deserts, the airport, a lake.

On the move, passing through towns and cities
we dance with the locals.  Come as you are,
they say, do as you wish, sing us your dreams.

Or if we decide to stay put, Freedom Road
is our home address.  A neighbour’s washing
flaps in the breeze like hilarious friendly flags;

in the house and over the garden fence we agree
to differ; someone’s grazing a horse on the common
where Freedom Lane becomes Freedom Green.

You can’t dig up freedom like a potato
from the verges of Freedom Way, or pan it
from Freedom Beck like inklings of gold;

it won’t be delivered to Freedom Avenue
gift-wrapped in silver string.  Where it goes unnoticed –
that’s where it exists.  Listen, when people ask

where they can find Freedom Road, we don’t say
turn right by the church, left by the bank,
we stroll where we want and live as we please.

And there it is.’

Freedom Road, Simon Armitage – Poet Laurite,  2025