Hundreds of people stopped by the Swindon and Wiltshire Pride pop-up stall as it made its final stop in Trowbridge this weekend.
During Pride Month, the Swindon and Wiltshire pop-up stall made a grand tour of the county stopping in Swindon, Salisbury and Trowbridge.
Setting up shop outside of Savers on Fore Street, the pop-up was there for the people of Trowbridge to speak with members of the Pride team, purchase Pride gifts (all profits go back into Pride) and get information about the LGTBQ+ community.
ALSO READ: New LGBTQ+ support group launches in Devizes
Jo Sharpe, who chairs Swindon and Wiltshire Pride said the stall – which has been going since 2019 – was well-received on its tour.
“We found it a great way of engaging with the community because Swindon is very limited with LGBT spaces which is probably similar to here,” Jo said.
“It’s just nice to talk to people and have that representation for people to come and chat to.
“It’s been lovely this weekend – we’ve had some lovely discussions with people.”
Throughout the weekend more than 200 people visited the stall to chat, get information and support the LGBTQ+ community.
Nathan Anthony, secretary of Trowbridge Pride said the weekend had been lively and very supportive – despite the wet Sunday weather.
“Before the rain came out it wasn’t too bad. We’ve had quite a few people coming down to buy things,” he said.
“With Swindon having explanation cards for each what each gender and sexual orientation mean; we’ve had quite a few parents wanting to educate their children as well.”
Across the road, Coffee #1 proudly displayed an ally flag in its window – purchased on Saturday from the pop-up stall.
Nathan added that as an LGBTQ+ group has now formed in Devizes they would hope for the stall to visit the market town next year.
Beyond Pride month, Trowbridge Pride is hoping to start to put on more LGBTQ+ events in the county town.
Nathan added that Trowbridge Pride will be announcing its next drag bingo night in the next few weeks.
The group has worked with Town Hall film programmer, Lorena Pino Montilla for the screening of Leonie Krippendorff’s coming of age story, Cocoon.
Cocoon will be shown at Trowbridge Town hall on Friday, July 16.
Thank You to everyone who came down to visit us and Swindon & Wiltshire Pride this weekend.
— Trowbridge Pride (@PrideTrowbridge) June 20, 2021
Rain and Wind couldn’t even stop you from showing your support.
We have a brilliant community and we look forward to return with more pop up shops in the future.
Posted by NA#pride pic.twitter.com/8tljmQQvDu
Swindon and Wiltshire Pride which is set to take place on August 7 in Town Gardens, Swindon.
First Swindon and Wiltshire Pride took place in 2009 with a Swindon Pride held the previous year.
Jo said that the event will have two stages for live performances, a family circus activity area, an arts and crafts zone, a youth safe space and much more.
“Over the years we’ve added extra bits and we just keep going,” they said.
There sadly will not be a Pride parade this year – a decision not taken lightly – however, Jo is confident about its return next year.
“We wanted to put our concentration into running a safe event. It was a tough, but the right, decision,” they said.
For tickets and more information please click here.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here