OVER 1000 people attended a completely packed first Ilkley Pride event on Saturday at the King’s Hall and Winter Garden organised by the Ilkley Pride and Diversity group.

Spread over two sessions, the afternoon was completely full to capacity with so many young people and families in attendance, exceeding all expectations! In the Winter Garden there was a youth area with many activities, along with stalls and workshops, and food and drink.

Lucy’s Pop Choir gave a fabulous welcome to all visitors as they arrived.

While on stage in the King’s Hall, Mark Wood, one half of Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalists, The Bosom Buddies, performed and then spoke openly about coming out in Ilkley in the 1980s. Local duo The Sheds, Joze School Of Dance, Ilkley Amateur Operatic Society and singer Dan Hatton completed the afternoon line-up.

Ilkley Pride and Diversity group Chair, David Shaw MBE welcomed people at the start of each session with Ilkley Town Mayor, Mark Stidworthy giving an inspiring speech about the importance of diversity. He said: “I am delighted that a Pride group has been in Ilkley and been able to develop such an exciting event so quickly, alongside so many other partners across the town and district. Ilkley is an inclusive and open-minded community, eager to acknowledge, value and celebrate diversity in our town. Ilkley Town Council gives its full support to Ilkley Pride and are pleased to help it financially.”

MP Robbie Moore spoke in the afternoon thanking everyone for their support to Ilkley Pride.

Receiving marvellous feedback, the youth area included a tombola, crafts, Girl Guiding UK, photo booth, face painting, book corner - LGBT friendly books, karaoke with Outside The Box and Art Camp UK.

Stalls and workshops were supplied from Mesmac, WACA , Barnardo’s, Bradford Fostering, West Yorkshire Queer Stories, Airedale’s LGBTQ+ staff network, Ilkley & Keighley Pride Stall, Beaumont Society, plus flower arranging and magic workshops from Roger Yaxley and Flower Fairly Annette.

In the evening the Deputy Lord Mayor of Bradford, Matt Edwards gave a heart rendering speech about being a gay man in the community with his partner Matt Hart in the audience.

Drag comedian Miss Syren, singer Richie and local band The Finishers kept the audience entertained and dancing until the end.

David Shaw said: “Ilkley Pride wish to thank Ilkley BID, Ilkley School of Motoring and Tyler-James Pet Supplies who were the main headline sponsors.

“We’d also like to mention The Craiglands Hotel, Walker Foster Solicitors, Banyan, Pinnacle Graphic Design Ltd, Charlie McIntosh Ltd, The Gin Lounge, Tennant & Darragh Jewellery Workshop, The Cashmere Cabin, Soul & Co Photography & Event Management, Outside the Box, Ilkley Brewery, Wharfedale Brewery and Lishman’s of Ilkley for their support.

“Grants were received from Ilkley Town Council, plus Ilkley Round Table for youth projects. Major staff support and grants were also received from Bradford MDC to enable the set-up Ilkley Pride & support Youth LGBTQ+ Groups. Without all this Ilkley Pride could not have taken place.”

Speaking about the support for businesses around town David said: “Ilkley BID were the major sponsor. Over 80 businesses agreed to fly Pride bunting which was kindly supplied by Ilkley BID during the Pride month of June confirming Ilkley as the diverse and inclusive place it is to live and work. Street Pride banners still fly from Brook Street, The Grove and Station Road until mid-July and we thank Pinnacle Design for all their assistance with this.”

The date for Ilkley Pride 2023 will be Saturday, July 1 at the King’s Hall.

Organiser are keen to get feedback from those who attended and to hear from anyone interested in supporting next year’s events, sponsors or volunteers, please email ilkley.pride@gmail.com, message via the Ilkley Pride Facebook page or website www.ilkleypride.co.uk

Ilkley Pride and Diversity want to thank all those who made the event happen. Heads of each team: Safety, Stuart Hyde; Catering & Hospitality, Gail Welsh; Stalls, Liz Nightingale; Stewards, Kian Verity; Management, David Shaw MBE, John Redding and Liz Horn; Fundraising, Marie Claire. Plus Noah Markham the Youth Ambassador, Howard Jackson artist bookings; Josh Haggo the stage and steward runner; Lucia Smith for pictures along with Nabin Maharjan from Soul & Co and Chris Short from Wharfedale Rotary Club for the video.

David added: “We couldn’t have done this without our amazing stage manager, Isabel Ashman, plus all of our fifty stewards of all ages. Together with Jan, Tracey, Nick, Andy and their team from the King’s Hall, who were so supportive to make sure this event was successful.”