Parents outraged after Burgess Hill Library bans under 5’s ‘rhyme time’ session

Noah’s Ark playgroup have met at the library once a month for the past eight years but on July 4, parents were told they could no longer sing there as a couple of the songs mention ‘God’.

The county council said rhyme time sessions are held every week in all West Sussex libraries and are open to everyone including families of any faith or no faith.

Charlie Burrell, 34, has attended the Noah’s Ark sessions for four years with his partner Laura, 32, and their two children, aged four and two.

He said: “I myself was horrified to hear this news as I have enjoyed their rhyme time sessions for years with my children and I know so many other parents have too.

“How can an organisation that brings people joy, especially to children, could be discriminated against in this way?

“I myself am Roman Catholic which is not the belief of the playgroup and cannot imagine how any one could find this offensive.

“May I add that the songs the library claim are offensive have the lyrics – ‘Mr Noah Built an Ark’ – to the tune of old Macdonald had a farm and ‘God has made a rainbow’ to the tune of colours of a rainbow.

“I believe this is political correctness gone crazy and if our children cannot enjoy the simple pleasures of music and happiness then whatever will be next?”

County councillor Anne Jones said she was appalled by the news.

“I am shocked to hear that the Noah’s Ark Baby Rhyme Time group can no longer meet in Burgess Hill Library,” she said.