PLANS are under way for an event celebrating diversity and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in Exmouth next year.
Details about Exmouth Pride on Saturday, June 6, are being kept under wraps for the time being but will take on a festival style, with entertainment including live music and stalls.
An 11-strong Exmouth Pride committee, headed up by primary school caretaker Sam Dawes, 27, has formed and a series of fundraising events are planned in the run-up of what organisers hope will be a landmark fixture on the town's calendar.
Other towns and cities across Devon and the UK, including Exeter, Plymouth, Manchester and London already have Pride festivals. And Exmouth will join a small handful of seaside resorts, including Brighton and Bournemouth, which host similar events.
Local businesses are being sought to sponsor the event and committee members or volunteers are always welcome.
Funds raised will be pledged to Stonewall, a charity which aims to tackle homophobia in schools.
To kick-start the initiative a Pride Halloween Boat Party is taking place on Friday, October 31.
"When I approached the Exmouth arts manager at Exmouth Town Council and then the district council, both were on board straight away," said Sam.
"Exmouth is the largest town in Devon and we have a wonderfully diverse community and the LGBT community is increasing all the time.
"People are very communtiy minded here and very accepting of diversity in Exmouth, so the initiative is a celebration of this.
"I thought it would be a fantastic idea to get a committee together to stage an event that would bring people together to celebrate diversity.
"The event is for everyone."
A keen fundraiser, Sam chose Stonewall as the beneficiary for the important work it does tackling prejudice and stigmatisation.
Sam, who has been a regular at the Exeter Pride parades, said he has taken inspiration from the events but the Exmouth occasion will be completely different.
"The way Exeter Pride has brought people together is phenomenal," he continued. "It's a fantastic event but we've gone in the opposite direction for the Exmouth event, it's going to be totally different and take on a festival style in one location."
Exmouth Champion and former Mayor, Councillor John Humphreys, is backing the event. "I am delighted that both Exmouth and East Devon councils are supporting the moves to celebrate diversity in our wonderful town," he said.
"This will bring even more colour to the rainbow of life in Exmouth and we should all welcome it."
Tickets for the Pride Halloween Boat Party on Stuart Line Cruises are £17.50 and include a three-and-a-half hour boat ride, a barbecue and entertainment, fancy dress optional.
Tickets are available from Becketts Bar on Tower Street and Carol's Bakery on St Andrew's Road.
For more information, for sponsorship enquiries, or to get involved visit www.exmouthpride.co.uk, the Exmouth Pride Facebook page or email exmouthpride@gmail.com
