Ludlow to get own Gay Pride event
A town is set to host its very own Gay Pride event for the first time.
Ludlow will be hosting a Pride Party in the the town's central Castle Square on Saturday, followed by a march down to the Millenium Green for a picnic.
Its is almost 50 years since the first Pride march was held in New York city but now even one of Shropshire's more rural small towns will be getting in on the act.
The celebration has been added to the Ludlow Fringe Festival schedule at relatively short notice, but the suggestion took off with the community as soon as it was made, said Fringe spokeswoman Sam Cole.
She said: "Ludlow Fringe will be celebrating the town’s first Pride event with a gathering from 2pm on Saturday on the Castle Square in Ludlow.
"Among the attractions will be the first Gay British Bake Off, queer crafts, glitter and music followed by a procession to the Millennium Green for a picnic at 5pm and a free performance of Wood by Boxed-In Theatre Company at 7.30pm.
"This show is a piece of pop-up LGBTQ touring theatre and will be performed on Thursday and Friday as well as being part of Ludlow Pride on Saturday.
"We're thrilled to hold this party. We're proud to support Ludlow's LGBTQ community.
"So if you're interested in coming, bring your own food and a bottle and come join us. Everyone is welcome."
After the Wood performance there will be a gathering upstairs at the Compasses on Corve Street for music, drinks and cocktails, with a donation to Ludlow Fringe Festival for organising the inaugural event. There is a strict age restriction of 18 plus for the after party.
Sam said it was hoped to become "an annual occurrence moving towards celebrating diversity within the community." The first official Gay Pride march took place in New York in 1970, a year after riots and protests sparked in the city over a police raid on the Stonewall Inn gay bar, with London holding its own Pride march in 1972.
