Calne is preparing for its first-ever Pride event this weekend.
The event will be taking place tommorrow, 1st June - the first day of Pride Month, and will include a parade, street stalls and an eclectic mix of entertainment.
The parade will meet at Calne Pop Up Park at 1pm and pass through Phelps Parade down the High Street and back to the Pop Up Park. The event then opens at Calne Recreation Grounds at 2.30pm until 9pm.
Funding for the event has been provided by Calne Town Council.
Town Councillor and planning committee member, Robert Merrick has said they are hopeful that with enough support the event can become an annual event and will eventually become self-sustaining.
He commented: "For a good couple of years, it is something that has been requested by the community - we tried to do it last year but sadly we failed."
"With a little bit of word of mouth, we managed to get a huge number of people to come forward for a committee so we are able to put it on this year."
Hills Waste Solutions, a major employer in Calne, is one of the sponsors for the town’s inaugural Pride celebrations and is also supplying waste management for the event. Other sponsors are Mitchell Digital Media Ltd who made the website for the Calne Pride 24 and Calne Catering & Events.
Ed Dodd, Deputy Chief Executive at The Hills Group commented: “We are delighted to be sponsoring Calne Pride, not only as a number of our employees live in the town – but as a business we are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion in all our operations. We hope that everyone taking part in the first Calne Pride has a wonderful time.”
Event organisers have issued the following advice to anyone attending:
Please bring cash just in case card machines play up.There are dedicated first aiders & a first aid tent which are there if needed.Please come prepared for all weather's.We also have a quiet tent, so if it does get too much then please make use of this.A reminder the event is on grass so please bring chairs, blankets and things to sit on to get comfy.There are limited parking spaces which is being kept for those that need it, so please refrain from using the car park that is at the venue.There will be plenty of marshals around in bright yellow hi-vis so if you need any help or assistance please do ask.This is a free entry event so all we ask is have fun and come say hi to our team on Calne pride stall.
