Tunbridge Wells Pride returns after year’s hiatus for a day of celebration
By Grace CorcoranTHE streets were filled with festivity as the LGBTQIA+ community came together to support Tunbridge Wells Pride across the town last Sunday (August 20).
Poignantly, the LGBTQIA+ community also used the opportunity to celebrate trans rights pioneer and former Tunbridge Wells Borough Councillor Mark Rees, who died on July 26.
The day opened with a march from The George pub down to The Forum, with rainbow flags and banners filling the streets.
The Forum hosted the event, with live DJs, entertainment and drag performances from Dermot O’Dreary, Miss Luna Lestrange and many more. A ‘cheesy disco’ after-after party was held at the nightclub, Aura, for those wanting to celebrate into the early hours.
Southborough Town councillor Alan Bullion (Labour) said: “It was well attended and we had a good crowd. We did the traditional walk from St George’s pub to The Forum. Lots of local groups were there with stalls, including the Soroptimists, DAVSS and Amnesty.
“There was dancing and entertainment and a good time was had by all.
“Pride is back on the map in Tunbridge Wells – it’s been a couple of years. Good on the Forum and all the other participants who made it a success.”
The weather held out for the event, with
TIME FOR PRIDE:
Families enjoy last weekend’s event at The Forum
people enjoying live music on the grass outside The Forum.
Amelia Turner, 20, who travelled in from Edenbridge to celebrate the day, said: “We arrived late afternoon, had a couple of drinks and enjoyed the vibe of the music playing outside The Forum – they were playing some classic throwbacks!
“We then went to the over-18s part inside The Forum, and it was a blast! Live music, comedy, drag performers and more.”
Local businesses and charities came along to support this year’s Pride, the first event in two years after last year’s event was cancelled.
Harley Seymour, Co-chair of Tunbridge Wells Pride told the Times: “Thank you to everyone who attended and supported
this year’s Pride!
“It was fantastic to see a great show of community support throughout the day. Our Children’s Pride event went down very well with families, with drag story time from drag artist Semi Colon, appearances from Elsa, and a magic show!
“We had a great show of local businesses and charities that attended and engaged with local communities, it was particularly great to have West Kent Mind surveying attendees about tailored support services for the LGBTQIA+ community.
“We are already in the works planning things for next year, and already have further events in the works that are sure to include something for everyone across the town!”
TUNBRIDGE Wells’ annual August bank holiday music extravaganza is back this weekend for its 18th staging, with four days’ worth of music and food.
The music festival has been free to the public since its inception, but came under threat last year owing to the massive cost of staging such an event. Now with headline sponsor Maxipay Accounting Services in place for the second year running, the festival has returned to the four-day event format, kicking off this Friday (August 25) at 5pm.
Showcase
The natural amphitheatre of the town centre’s park is the perfect setting for the festival’s main stage, playing to promenaders and picnickers alike, while the stalls of the food village showcase the products of exclusively local traders.
Additional support from the Royal Tunbridge Wells Together Business Improvement District, public donations, business sponsors and contributions from Tunbridge Wells Borough Council also helped create a “vital lifeline for festival finances”, said organiser Paul Dunton.
The festival platforms local artists performing their own music, giving audiences a chance to experience local talent, while the performers have the opportunity to play in front of substantial crowds.
See our Local & Live guide on page 31
Goods Vehicle Operator’s Licence
Prohire Limited of: Eagle House, Lamberts Road
Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 3EH
is applying for a licence to use: Eagle House, Lamberts Road
Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 3EH as an operating centre for 3 goods vehicles and 1 trailers
Owners or occupiers of land (including buildings near the operating centre(s) who believe that their use or enjoyment of that land would be affected, should make written representations to the Traffic Commissioner at Hillcrest House, 386 Harehills Lane, Leeds LS9 6NF stating their reasons, within 21 days of this notice.
Representors must, at the same time, send a copy of their representations to the applicant at the address given at the top of this notice. A guide to making representations is availbale from the Traffic Commissioner’s office
Local & Live festival is back with a bang