Pride parade to take place despite controversy

This year's Pride in Surrey event will take place in Guildford on Saturday

A pride parade celebrating its fifth anniversary is to take place in spite of controversy surrounding its founder.

This year's Pride in Surrey event will take place in Guildford on Saturday.

The event will begin with a parade through the town centre followed by a festival in Stoke Park.

The event's founder and another volunteer were charged with sexual abuse against children.

Stephen Ireland, 40, and David Sutton, 26, both from Addlestone, were arrested on 14 August and charged with multiple counts.

A plea hearing is due to take place next month.

The first Pride in Surrey parade was held in August 2019 in Woking. It has since been held in Godalming, Camberley and Reigate.

This year’s event will include music on its main stage, drag performances, a funfair, food and drink vendors and a marketplace with more than 70 local sellers, charities and support services.

A Pride in Surrey spokesperson said: "Pride in Surrey marks an important date for Surrey’s LGBTQ+ community, acting as an opportunity for people to be themselves unashamedly and to call for the extension and protection of LGBTQ+ rights, which are under constant attack.”

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