
Reading Pride returns amid financial pressures
It has been a challenging year for Pride events nationwide, with cancellations due to funding and volunteer shortages.The UK's Pride movement began in 1972 when a group called the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) decided that, as well as protesting, it was also important to celebrate the community.
Mr Price said he believes this year's funding shortage is due to "various worldwide events"."We've come up a bit short in terms of funding, as we have lost two major sponsors and some of our UK sponsors are struggling for money."It's just become a bit difficult this year."Liverpool's annual Pride event and the city's March with Pride were cancelled last month.Whilst a group of organisations and people in Plymouth created their own event after the official Pride event was cancelled due to a lack of funds.Mr Price said: "There are a couple of other pride events that have collapsed due to financial problems that we are all facing - we are seeing it happen a lot."
He explained that the volunteer committee are working "really hard to try and make up that money" through "fundraising and finding ways to trim bits of the festival that are not necessary"."We will put on a festival this year, definitely but we are really concerned about the future of Reading Pride," Mr Price added."We do have a little bit of a buffer but if we go into that this year, then next year we will be in a worse situation.""It is a very worrying time, and there is a real concern that we will struggle in the future."
You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook and X.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mail
14 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Katie Price's boyfriend JJ Slater urges bankrupt star to 'sort her finances' as he issues 'ultimatum' after split rumours
Katie Price 's boyfriend JJ Slater has reportedly given their relationship 'ultimatum' to force the former glamour model to 'sort her finances' after split rumours. The former glamour model has been involved in a stop-start relationship with Slater since publicly confirming they were romantically involved last February. But she prompted inevitable speculation regarding her current relationship status after reshuffling her social media platform to prioritise pictures that focus on her children and passion for horse-riding. Katie, 46, also drew attention to her easter pantomime role in Pinocchio - in which she plays a fairy - as well as promotional photos and videos for CBD oil and niche, online fashion retailers. And now friends close to the couple have told The Mirror JJ has given the personality an ultimatum and has to 'start taking accountability for her finances'. A source said the publication: 'JJ has had enough of all the drama' 'Katie isn't responsible with money and has been struggling with the moving situation, which JJ feels she sometimes takes out on him. 'He has given Katie an ultimatum, explaining that she needs to start taking accountability for her finances and get her ducks in a row – if they're to have a real chance together.' Katie is notably absent from his Instagram platform, with the first visible photo of the model seemingly shared last November. Despite a clear shift in tone across social media, sources have denied claims of another rift in their relationship. A source told MailOnline: 'It's not true.' The couple began dating in early 2024 and even sparked speculation of an engagement after Katie was pictured wearing a diamond while recovering from her sixth facelift in Turkey last year. Price recently admitted she wouldn't date someone who has 'only slept with two or three' women as she likes to know a man has 'been around the block'. The model has had a number of high-profile romances over the years - including a marriage to Peter Andre, a relationship with footballer Dwight Yorke and a cheeky kiss with Simon Cowell. And now friends close to the couple have told The Mirror JJ has given the personality an ultimatum and has to 'start taking accountability for her finances' Katie has reshuffled her social media platform to prioritise pictures that focus on her children and passion for horse-riding Likewise, Katie is notably absent from his Instagram platform, despite the London based designer previously peppering his grid with photos of the ex-glamour model And in a recent interview on the Disruptors Podcast, Price laid bare exactly what she likes in a man. 'I like to know they've been around the block,' she remarked. 'I'd rather a man know what they're doing. If someone hadn't had many, I wouldn't really like that - isn't that weird! 'I'll ask them: "Do you know how many you've slept with and that?" Price was also asked what the 'minimum number' of girls she would like a potential boyfriend to have slept with is. She said: 'When I was younger, I'd be jealous but I think because I'm at my age, I just think if a man's been there, done it, knows what they want - they're more settled in their head aren't they. 'Imagine if it's like two or three girls [a man's body count], they don't even know what they're doing. 'My friends say "Katie, you're gross, that's disgusting, why would you want a man that's been everywhere" and I'm just like, I'd rather it.


The Independent
14 minutes ago
- The Independent
Duke and Duchess of Westminster ‘thrilled' as they welcome first child
The Duke and Duchess of Westminster have announced the birth of their first child. Billionaire aristocrat Hugh Grosvenor and his wife Olivia, who married last year, have welcomed a baby girl born in London on Sunday, named Cosima Florence Grosvenor. 'The Duke and Duchess of Westminster are thrilled to announce the birth of their baby daughter,' a spokesperson for the couple said. 'Both the duchess and Cosima are doing well. 'The duke and duchess now look forward to spending this special time together as a family.' The duke, one of the UK's biggest landowners, is a close friend of both the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex, and godfather to Prince George and also reportedly to Prince Archie. William acted as an usher at his wedding in Chester Cathedral in June last year but Harry mutually agreed with the groom he would not attend amid his long-running rift with his brother. Hugh, once considered one of the country's most eligible bachelors, became an instant billionaire when he inherited his title and control of the historic Grosvenor Estate aged 25, following the death of his father from a heart attack in 2016. His property company, Grosvenor Group, owns hundreds of acres of land in Mayfair and Belgravia, as well as major city centre developments such as Liverpool's One shopping centre. In 2020, the duke donated £12.5 million to the UK's Covid-19 relief effort including funds for NHS Charities Together and for medical research and development.


The Sun
14 minutes ago
- The Sun
Harry & Wills' pal the Duke of Westminster welcomes first baby with wife Olivia as pair reveal adorable name
THE Duke and Duchess of Westminster are reportedly "thrilled" as they welcome their first child. Their baby girl, Cosima Florence Grosvenor was born today in London. 2 2 Hugh Grosvenor, a Billionaire aristocrat who is a long-term friend of the Duke of Sussex and Prince William, and his wife Olivia, married last year. A spokesperson for the couple told PA media: "The Duke and Duchess of Westminster are thrilled to announce the birth of their baby daughter. "Both the duchess and Cosima are doing well. "The duke and duchess now look forward to spending this special time together as a family." The Duke is godfather to Prince George, and also reportedly to Prince Archie. During the couple's wedding at Chester Cathedral in June 2024, William acted as Usher. Harry wasn't in attendance amid his long-running rift with his brother.