Swindon & Wiltshire Pride 2022 cancelled

The Swindon & Wiltshire Pride Committee has announced that the event planned for August this year, will not be taking place.

For the past 12 years, this annual community parade and festival at the Old Town Gardens, Swindon, has been a celebration of diversity and inclusion which has been enjoyed by many thousands of people.

Swindon & Wiltshire Pride has been an eagerly anticipated annual event on the town’s events' calendar, but with a number of key committee members retiring last year, the Pride team say that unfortunately no one has come forward to replace them.

Swindon & Wiltshire Pride is a community event and with the lack of a replacement committee, the current committee has taken the decision not to hold the event.

Sarah Mason Vice chair said: “This decision was not arrived at lightly and we appreciate the disappointment not only from the LGBTQIA+ community but by the many Swindon residents who have come year on year to support us.”

The Committee say they would like to thank all those who have supported this event over the past 12 years, including the many sponsors and local businesses who have given their time and donations; as well as the talented artists who have performed on the various stages and have supported this community event.

The money raised through fundraising events already held will go towards potentially a smaller event later in the year, supporting the other charity's objectives and also go towards the 2023 event.

The Committee says it will continue to fundraise for the charity.

A spokesperson for Swindon & Wiltshire Pride said: "It is vital to the LGBTQIA+ community to bring everyone together to raise the funds to keep Pride as a free event for all to celebrate and support each other.

"The Committee regret the need to alter this tradition, but feel that postponing Swindon and Wiltshire Pride until 2023 in its present form is the just and responsible thing to do."

Those who would like to be part of the 2023 Committee and bring back Swindon & Wiltshire Pride for 2023 can visit swindonwiltshirepride.co.uk/joinpride for more information.