Witney will have gay pride festival

11:52am Friday 15th August 2008

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WITNEY is to have its first gay pride festival, but there will not, as in Oxford, be a parade through the town.

Witney Pride is on Saturday, August 30, at the New Inn, Corn Street, with karaoke, live bands, and fancy dress.

Organiser, Toni LeBusque, said: "It is not just for gay people, it is for everybody.

"We'd like families to come along too.

"We had thought of a parade, but then saw it was a bit difficult to organise, what with insurance and other things. The idea started as a bit of fun on the social website Facebook, and has grown from there." The event has set up its own website, witneypride.org.uk, and is inviting people not just from the area, but also from Oxford and beyond.

One of the bands booked to play, Elephant Shelf, is a leading transgender blues outfit from London.

New Inn pub landlord, Martin Cornish, and former town fire station officer Steve Fletcher are part of the other live act, Gastric Band, playing blues and rock.

The day starts at noon, and is booked to go on until 1am, both inside the pub and, weather permitting, in the garden.