Rainbows flags, bright balloons and vibrant drumming set the tone for a lively 10th Swindon and Wiltshire Pride parade on Saturday, with the whole community coming together for the march in support of diversity.

The event – taking on extra significance as it marked 50 years since the decriminalisation of homosexuality – saw organisations as diverse as the emergency services, the scouts and some of the Swindon’s biggest companies represented.

At the front of the parade, Lee Hare, 39, the Unison LGBT Officer for Wiltshire Police, said: “As an openly gay officer I feel it’s my duty to represent the whole community and this is one of the ways to do that.”

He said representing the police at Pride meant letting everyone know that the force is inclusive to all, regardless of sexual orientation: “Right up until 1967, it was an offence to be gay. It wasn’t fully decriminalised until 2003.

“There are going to be some people who will remember a time when being who they were was an offence.”

Attending with his 6-year-old son, Noah – who has three parents – Lee spoke of the importance demonstrations like Pride can have for younger generations.

“Education starts at home,” said Lee. “If we want people to be understanding then you have to teach them from a young age.”

It was a message echoed by Becky Webster, 37, who was at the parade with four-year-old daughter, Poppy, who has two mums. “It’s about bringing people together,” Becky said of Pride. “I want to teach her that it’s okay to love anybody.”

Also with local police was Angus Macpherson, Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, dressed in a rainbow-stripe shirt. He said: “It’s a terrific day. This is a very important day for the LGBT community in Wiltshire generally.

“The police are here both as an employer, because we want the constabulary to reflect the communities in which it works, but also because we want to give confidence to minority groups.”

Shortly behind was Ian Jeary, 47, the area manager for Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service, accompanied by their specially commissioned rainbow-coloured fire engine.

He said: “It’s about celebrating diversity and inclusivity in our community. Pride doesn’t discriminate and neither does the fire and rescue service.”

“It’s about breaking down those barriers. 50 years after decriminalisation there’s still work to be done.”

Some had taken on a little more than just a walk, including Nando’s giant chicken, and the Wiltshire roller derby team, who skated their way around the route.

“It’s very hard, some of the roads are really tricky,” said Nathan Pithers, the roller derby men’s team captain. “The end of the parade is really hard because it’s downhill. We all have to turn around and go backwards so we can use our brakes.”

“But it’s always a great event, and we always come down and support.”