Town's Pride festival postponed due to weather

Corby held its first Pride event in 2023

A Pride festival has been postponed because of thunderstorms that are forecast.

The annual celebration of the LGBTQ+ community in Corby, Northamptonshire, was due to take place on Saturday.

Organisers said the parade through the streets and the festival in Coronation Park had been called off because there would be a "risk to public safety".

However, a Queer Ceilidh planned for Friday evening is still going ahead.

The Rainbow Folk are leading the Ceilidh

The Queer Ceilidh, which is like a barn dance, will be led by LGBTQ band The Rainbow Folk at Corby Old Village Community Centre.

Lisa Heywood from the band said: "I teach the dances and I think a lot of people think 'Ooh, it's like going to a dance lesson, what if I get it wrong? The teacher will tell me off!'

"That's not what it's about, it's about having fun - it's a social dance form so, as long as you're having fun, you're getting it right."

Large crowds have enjoyed the entertainment in the park in previous years

The parade was due to set off from the Corby Cube at 12:00 BST on Saturday and head to Coronation Park, where entertainment, food and community stalls were planned.

A statement from Corby Pride said the organisers were "extremely disappointed to have to make this decision and would like to thank the community for their support, co-operation and understanding during these difficult circumstances".

They added that they would be looking into possible future dates for a rescheduled event.

An after-party planned for the Grampian Club on Saturday night is still going ahead.

A yellow weather warning from the Met Office is in place between 09:00 and 18:00 on Saturday, predicting thunderstorms could "lead to some disruption of transport and infrastructure".