Pride and joy at celebration

COVENTRY was awash with the colours of the rainbow as the city’s very own Pride event took over the city centre.

Back for a third year, Coventry Pride was once again expected to attract around 8,000 visitors over the weekend with six sites dotted around the city centre.

The colourful celebration of diversity transformed places such as University Square, opposite Coventry Cathedral, Fargo Village, Bull Yard and parts of Coventry University.

A number of musicians, entertainers and comedians kept people entertained, alongside an array of stalls.

University Square had three stages of music, plus food, drink and community stalls, while Fargo Fringe was at Fargo Village for a LGBT+ art show and entertainment.

Meanwhile, a fun fair was sat nicely outside Coventry Transport Museum.

Saturday even saw Coventry Pride’s first ever blessing of a wedding after Claire Haines and Haley Bridge tied the knot.

The couple wore the colours of the rainbow for a service at St Mary’s Guild Hall earlier in the day and then took to the Phoenix Stage in University Square at 4pm.

David Wilson, trustee of Coventry Pride, said: “Pride’s aim is to promote equality and diversity for all communities across the city.

“I want everyone to feel relaxed about who they are. It is great that Coventry University shares these values.

“Coventry lets nothing get in its way – the bombs, the ‘sent to Coventry’ jokes, the ring road – all these things show that it is a city of resilient people who don’t take themselves too seriously!”