THE town was transformed into a carnival of colour on Saturday as hundreds of rainbow flags covered the streets for this year’s Swindon and Wiltshire Pride festival.

Members and non-members of the town’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community came together to celebrate love and equality with a glittering parade through Old Town and to listen to a host of top musical acts.

The parade, which was made up of hundreds of people in bright and sparkling dress, all marching to a pounding chorus of drums and carrying a huge rainbow flag, left Town Gardens, Old Town, at 11.15am and snaked around Westlecot Road, on to Devizes Road and continued in a loop around Old Town.

Jo Sharpe, chair of Swindon and Wiltshire Pride, said: “I’m feeling really positive about today, I think it’s going to be brilliant – hopefully if the sun comes out it will be even better.

“We have had massive support from volunteers helping us set up and we’re all really grateful for it.”

Last year, 7,500 people attended the event and organisers are expecting similar numbers this time.

Kerry Switzer, who was there with colleagues from the West Swindon Asda store, said: “I absolutely love it, it’s amazing.

“It’s easily one of my favourite events of the year. Getting involved in all the Pride events is a big thing for Asda now and I think it’s wonderful.”

Matt Fleming, 27, of North Swindon, said: “It’s great to have something like this in Swindon. It puts us on the map and makes people take notice.

“I came to Pride last year and it was fantastic – really sunny. I’m sure this year will be great, though I don’t think we’re going to have much luck with the weather.”  

As predicted, the early glimmer of sunshine was soon replaced by patches of heavy rain, but it certainly did not dampen anybody’s spirits.

One man, dressed head to toe in a purple leotard, shouted: “It’s raining men!”

Activities continued throughout the day with musical acts performing on each of the two stages – the Mayan Stage and the Stephen G Sloan Stage.

First up on the Mayan Stage at 13.25pm was electronic dance act Urbadex, followed by Swindon-born DJ Burnout and synth vocalist Lydia Chase.

The Stephen G Sloan stage hosted acts such as solo acoustic performer Worried About Mike, Swindon-born singer/songwriter Bradley Cowtan and Wiltshire band Burbank.

Also on site was a family zone, which offered a variety of activities for children aged three and over, and an arts section, which let people unleash their creativity by painting, sculpting and gluing.

For Charlotte Harrington, 25, and girlfriend Chloe Thomas, 27, it was the third year they had visited the festival.

“I think it’s amazing,” said Charlotte. “People are here showing each other love and peace and it’s really nice to be a part of it.”

The theme of this year’s Pride was ‘Love for all’ and, writing in the event programme, Councillor David Renard, leader of Swindon Borough Council, acknowledged: “We can all benefit from more tolerance, dialogue, and love.”