THE ORGANISER of Swindon’s first ever gay pride event has resigned amid a dispute over the debts left by last summer’s event.

James Waterhouse has quit his position as chairman of the Swindon Pride committee.

More than £15,000 is still owing for last August’s celebration in Town Gardens.

Mr Waterhouse said he could not understand why a second event was still being planned for this summer with so many bills outstanding.

Swindon Pride 2008 cost more than £31,000, but only £19,000 was raised through fundraising, sponsorship, donations and stall rentals.

In the run up to Swindon Pride, the Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Coalition organised two balls to raise funds towards the main event.

Even though the Queens Ball and the Pink Ball at the Marriott hotel cost more than £4,000 to stage, they brought in less than £1,000 of funds.

Speaking to the Advertiser about his resignation, James Waterhouse said: “I said that if we carried on we should pay the older bills.

“If we carry on we are going to need a huge amount of money to cover it. We can’t go on.

“There is still £15,000 owed by the committee and the council is forwarding these bills to me.

“I’ve got bills and county court judgements coming to my home address.

“I agreed to plan the events for Swindon Pride 2008, but never agreed to be personally responsible for financing the project.

“The council say they won’t pay the bills, but the LGBT Coalition is based at their offices.”

Thousands of revellers turned out for the first Swindon Gay Pride on August 16, last year.

Headline act The Sheilas took centre stage at the Bowl, but are still due £2,000 of their £2,500 performance fee.

Drag stars Cafe Le Belle have still not been paid a penny of their £1,100 fee.

Overall more than £6,600 is still owed to magazines that ran adverts publicising the event, including £3,287 to gay publication Fyne Times.

Events on the actual day cost more than £8,000, but more than £5,000 of bills for equipment and entertainment are outstanding.

Council spokesman Richard Freeman said: “A separate committee independent to the council makes its own decisions about the running of Swindon Pride.

“Last year we supported the event but did not play any part in organising it.”

Mr Freeman said the LGBT Coalition’s office at Premier House was possibly part of the arrangement to support the event.

Former vice-chairwoman Jo Sharps is believed to be the new chairwoman of the Swindon Pride committee since Mr Waterhouse’s departure. The Advertiser attempted to speak to Ms Sharps, but at the time of going to press she could not be contacted. No-one from the LGBT Coalition could be contacted.