SWINDON and Wiltshire Pride will be ‘comin atcha’ this year with an impressive headline act.

Cleo Higgins, formerly of 90s pop group Cleopatra, recently wowed audiences as a solo singer on BBC’s The Voice. She will be the main attraction at this year’s event as it celebrates its sixth birthday on August 10.

A new family area will be introduced this year and the event is set to be bigger and better than ever before.

A spokesperson for the event said: “Our headliner for Pride 2013 is the amazing, multi-talented singer, dancer, songwriter Cleo Higgins.

“With her love of soul, R’n’B, hip hop, reggae, pop, classical and jazz, Cleo moves fluidly between different genres and always gives the audience something special to remember. Cleo is not just a singer, songwriter, actress, brand ambassador, but also a great performer.”

Ben Reeves, chairman of the organising committee, said: “The event promotes inclusivity between the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans) community and the wider community by coming together and enjoying a colourful day of music, entertainment, education and, most of all, fun. We were seeing more and more families coming along to enjoy the day.

“We want to be able to cater for all our visitors on the day and have added this year for the first time a dedicated family area where you will be able to enjoy face painting, games and much more.”

The event will kick off with a parade through Old Town once again this year.

Lydia May, parade co-ordinator, said: “This is my first year on the committee. I volunteered on the day last year and had so much fun I wanted more of an active role.

“I have been brought up in and around the Swindon LGBT community and feel it’s time I gave something back to a community that has given me so much in my life. I’m looking forward to making this year’s parade the best and biggest yet. “ The chair of Swindon and Wiltshire Pride was today heading for 10 Downing Street to meet Prime Minister David Cameron.

Ben Reeves is among a number of representatives of the gay community nationwide who were invited to a meeting marking the passing of a law allowing same-sex marriage.

Mr Reeves, 36, who lives in Ferndale, is in charge of the committee running Pride, which will be held on Saturday, August 10 at the Town Gardens in Quarry Road.

He said of the Downing Street gathering: “It’s an amazing opportunity to represent the gay community at top level. I’m just in awe and very honoured.”

Mr Reeves sees the new legislation, due to come into force next year, as a vital component of equality.

“The option is there for us,” he said. “It’s not going to be everybody’s cup of tea but it was the last level of exclusion for gay people.

“Some people have commented that the civil partnership law was a bit of an insult because it was not full equality. This is.”

Swindon and Wiltshire Pride has been running since 2008, and last year’s attracted 8,000 people.

More information about this can be found www.swindon wiltshirepride.co.uk.

Campaigner has a proud day ahead of him

THE chairman of Swindon and Wiltshire Pride was today heading for 10 Downing Street to meet Prime Minister David Cameron.

Ben Reeves is among a number of representatives of the gay community nationwide who were invited to a meeting marking the passing of a law allowing same-sex marriage. Mr Reeves, 36, who lives in Ferndale, is in charge of the committee running Pride, which will be held on Saturday, August 10 at the Town Gardens in Quarry Road.

He said of the Downing Street gathering: “It’s an amazing opportunity to represent the gay community at top level.

“I’m just in awe and very honoured.”

Mr Reeves sees the new legislation, due to come into force next year, as a vital component of equality.

“The option is there for us,” he said. “It’s not going to be everybody’s cup of tea but it was the last level of exclusion for gay people.

“Some people have commented that the civil partnership law was a bit of an insult because it was not full equality. This is.”

Swindon and Wiltshire Pride has been running since 2008, and last year’s was the most successful yet, attracting some 8,000 people.