Organisers full of Pride ahead of biggest show
HOSTING can be stressful at the best of times, but when you’re planning an event for yourself and at least 5,000 others, the stakes are undoubtedly much higher.
Martin Carter has been the chair of Derby Pride for eight years and has organised six Pride events.
With this year’s spectacular promising an array of fairground rides, an extended children’s play area, and the delights of the new venue Markeaton Park, it’s set to be bigger and better than ever, and committee members are currently in their final stages, working hard to make sure that everything runs smoothly on September 10.
We spoke to the Derby Pride chairman to find out what it takes to put on an event of its size and importance, and just how much time and effort go into making it perfect.
Martin said: “It never gets easier. Every year we try and make it bigger, and obviously we always try and go a little bit better with the acts, a little bit better with this, a little bit better with that.
“We feel the pressure to put on a Pride better than the year before.”
The trustee board of just seven people balance the workload between them.
“It’s a very active board, everyone does their bit, and we all have fulltime jobs as well,” Martin added. “It’s
hard to balance both, but when everybody starts turning up and everyone’s telling us what a great time they’re having – or when we announced the acts for this year, like Urban Cookie and Baby D, and everyone’s getting excited and there’s a good buzz around it.”
Organisation for Derby Pride begins in early October, just two weeks after the ending of the last event, which is usually around midSeptember.
First on the agenda is booking the venue through the council, alongside consistent fundraising events throughout the year, such as a bingo night at the Crown Inn.
Martin said: “All the money made from that goes to Pride. We do big sponsored events like sponsored walks and singing competitions. Then we try and sell stalls, then try and get the sponsors.”
For Martin and the rest of the trustee board, Pride’s purpose as a community event is just as paramount as its planning and execution. He believes that Pride should be free, that’s accessible and welcoming to all.
He said: “I’m a massive believer that Pride should be free, and people have this perception that Pride is a festival.
“But I think Pride should be a community event and it should be an event where I could take my grandmother down to my cousin’s kids, so there should be something for everybody.
“So that’s why we’ve put a lot of effort into the family area this year We’ve got bouncy castles, outdoor games, and all sorts just for the toddlers.
“I also believe our Pride has a community feel, because we are fundraising all the time. It’s the community’s money.
“Half of what we’ve raised in the last 12 months that’s gone to Pride has come from the local community.”
This year, Derby Pride has managed to raise approximately £23,000 through various sponsors and stalls. But the most nerve-wracking part for the trustees is often the closer the event gets, and it’s only until halfway through the day that organisers start to relax. Derby Pride will take place on September 10 in Markeaton Park and is expecting a turnout of more than 5,000 people.
The trustee board is still on the lookout for sponsors. Those interesting in sponsoring Derby Pride can email info@derbypride.co.uk.
Every year we try and make it bigger, and obviously we always try and go a little bit better Martin Carter