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Worcester Pride – Aug 2010 Revised Project Outline 2

With the upcoming reopening of the Brewery Tap, the previous hub of the LGBT community, it was an ideal opportunity to move some of the Worcester Pride 2010 events into the venue. There is also support from a newly opened venue, AiR Café who were already on board to support the event with their own evening events. Between the two venues, all of the mini events previously planned by the forum would still be able to take place on a smaller scale. Now, rather than Worcester Pride taking place on September 18tth, the event would now run from September 17th till September 19th, as a celebration of the LGBT Community in Worcester/shire. Evening events at both the Brewery Tap and AiR celebrating LGBT Community life, Both Venue’s would charge a nominal amount on the door in support of the event and would have acts appearing throughout the night. During the day a small number of community and Market stalls would be set up in the Brewery Tap, with daytime family friendly acts appearing in AiR café. In the early evening, adult themed acts would start in AiR while the Brewery Tap set up for another night of fun. Background Revised Worcester Pride 2010 Event Friday September 17th 2010 Saturday September 18th 2010 Sunday September 19th 2010 During the day there would be further opportunity for Community and Market Stalls to set up in the Brewery Tap, with a Civil Partnership area available in AiR café. with more entertainment available at the Brewery Tap afterwards until the early morning. The project plan for Worcester Pride 2010 has gone through many changes due to the major developments that have occurred in Worcester and in the wider area over the past year. Due to the recession and a change of government, it has become more apparent that a large-scale event, as was planned for 2010 is not as viable as first hoped. In this new period of austerity, many of the statutory bodies that had pledged support in kind and in funding have now had to withdraw their offers due to cut backs, and loss of staff within their sector. Hereford & Worcestershire Fire and Rescue Service were one of the losses, having now withdrawn £1,500 of funding and the offer of marshals on the day; both offers of support were integral to the project plan. Without the support of Marshalling by the Fire Service the forum were unsure if it would still be able to provide the level of Health and Safety cover required. Also, a large number of complaints were made against another event held on Worcester Racecourse recently, which would impact on the licensing conditions issued on the Worcester Pride Event licence, most likely ensuring it wouldn’t be granted or several restrictions limiting planned live music. It has also become more apparent that there is less support than anticipated from other statutory organisations, with a growing unwillingness to engage with the community and group. In some instances publishing figures and facts that were incorrect, and potentially damaging the reputation of the group.

With all this in mind, the Worcester Pride Forum feels it is only right and professional that the large scale event is postponed till 2011, allowing failure or cancelling of the event was not an option, we needed to ensure that the group were able to provide the event that Worcester deserves. In the mean time planning/organising for 2011 will continue utilising a new more accessible venue, along with continued engagement with voluntary/statutory bodies. Worcester Pride Forum are now working with smaller venues around Worcester so that LGBT Life can still be celebrated and recognised, and so that the hard work put in by the forum would still be put to use this year.

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About Worcester Pride

Uniting Communities

Worcester Pride is a not for profit, community organisation, which draws its membership from not just the LGBT community, but other sectors of the community as well. We have a clear aim which is to not only make a BIG difference in the local LGBT community but to also unite the local community of Worcestershire regardless of age, sex, race, religion, disability, gender and sexual orientation.

Background, History and Future

Why is this event needed…

Worcester has a growing diverse population of approximately 94,000. The latest statistics show that approximately 5-7% of the UK population identifies as LGB which implies a 3.5 million Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) strong community in the UK, of which 5,640 of those live in Worcester. However, this is only the number of those that openly identify as being LGBT. There are still many within the community who do not feel safe enough to openly talk about their lifestyle. With this event it is hoped that more of the community will be able to be open regarding their sexual orientation without fear of hate crime, bullying and harassment.

Despite the presence of this strong and growing community, there is still open homophobia and hate crime within the Worcestershire County, which members of the community are afraid to report. By having such a large scale event, we will bring the community more recognition, and educate the general population of Worcester that tolerance of the LGBT community is no longer enough, the community needs acceptance as part of the norm. This will be the first occurrence for this event, and it is envisaged that this will become an annual event, growing each year.

The Membership consists of 12 Executive Members who are responsible for event planning, funding, administration and sponsorship of the event. The Forum members are volunteers who are responsible for ensuring that the event activities, entertainment, event security etc are planned and staffed on the day. The event will be split into two, a day event lasting from 12.00 p.m. till 9.00 p.m. at Pitchcroft Racecourse, Worcester and an evening event held at local venues. At the day event, there will be a large number of community groups within the Worcestershire area being invited to attend in a variety of different capacities, having the opportunities to showcase their work either on stalls or performances on stages.

Supporters of Worcester Pride include -

• South Worcestershire Community Safety Partnership

• The Co-operative

• West Mercia Police

• Hereford & Worcester Fire Rescue Service

• NHS Gay Men's Sexual Health

• The Best Of Worcester

• Storage King Worcester

• Worcester City Council & Parks Department 

What you can expect to see...

During the day event, there will be a large number of community groups within the Worcestershire area who are attending in a variety of different capacities, having the opportunities to showcase their work either on stalls or performances on stages. As per the Health and Safety document, the Pitchcroft site is being split into a number of areas to accommodate the different activities taking place on the day. These areas include

• "Live" Main Stage Area – Live Music, Bands - "Pride's Got Talent" - Drag Artists, Dance Troupes and Special Appearances

• Dance & Beer Tent

• Chill Out Area

• Family / Children Entertainment Inc: Art, Interactive, Face Painting,

• Fresh Food and Refreshments

• Market & Community Stalls

How to get involved....

Worcester Pride is an excellent way to promote your services or showcase your products & services direct to the Worcestershire, Midlands LGBT community. If you are looking to recruit for your company, support diversity, sell mechandise or services we are sure you will find Worcester Pride a fantastic way to achieve this. Applications are open for those wanting a market stall at Worcester Pride's Main event Saturday 18th September 2010.

Fundraising activities that have taken place so far include a launch party on the Pride of the Midlands and a fun night at Bowl Extreme. 

 THIS EVENT has now been POSTPONED

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For more information please contact  info@worcesterpride.co.uk