Hundreds attend Bath's 'historic' first Pride event

People joined the Pride march through Bath city centre

Hundreds of people have attended a city's first official Pride event.

A large group marched through Bath's streets holding placards and flags before joining a picnic with charity and music stalls at the Holburne Museum.

Those attending said the day felt "special" and "amazing", adding that it was an important step for the city to have its own day of protest and celebration.

Claire Warner, from the organising committee, said: "It's important Bath has a Pride to call its own and we're so excited to have this first major historic event."

Claire Warner helped organise the day and said it was a "labour of love"

Ms Warner continued: "We've not had one to call our own before, there have been smaller village Prides and one in Bristol.

"I'm not sure why its taken to now to have one, but it has really come together and in the last couple of weeks it has just snowballed, like the whole community and the city have come together."

Ms Warner said the event has been a "real community effort" and "a labour of love".

"We've been given free venue spaces, people have offered services and we've had a couple of donations to up our insurances so anyone can come," she added.

"It's beautiful to see the city come together for this event."

She added it was an opportunity for people to advocate for and demand equal rights.

Molly Ridley runs a queer focused café

Molly Ridley, who runs Daisy and Bean Bakeshop, a café designed to be queer focused, said the day was "wonderful".

She said: "It is so special. I was born locally and to see how far Bath has come, the huge steps that have been taken in the last year alone is so beautiful to see.

"We weren't quite expecting so many people to turn up today and it's just so exciting to have so many people here celebrating pride."

Jo Dolby is a church leader at Oasis Church Bath

Jo Dolby, church leader at Oasis Church Bath, a queer affirming church, said it was a very moving day.

"It's incredible, it's really moving to celebrate and to still protest as things are not where they need to be," she said.

"To be with people who get it and want to celebrate is a beautiful thing.

"We will build on this in future years."