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Fun, music and colour as first New Forest Pride event launches in New Milton




FUN for all the family is promised when New Forest Pride’s inaugural event finally gets underway in New Milton on Saturday – two years after being stymied by the pandemic.

The celebration of the LGBTQ+ community runs from 10am-10pm on the recreation ground, off Whitefield Road and Old Milton Road.

Organisers have promised a packed programme of entertainment including singers, poets and drag acts, plus an array of stalls selling local produce.

A packed programme of entertainment is promised at the New Forest Pride event (Stock photo)
A packed programme of entertainment is promised at the New Forest Pride event (Stock photo)

The self-styled “giant with an even bigger voice” Rude Velvet will be strutting her stuff in all her 6ft 8in glory on the performance pavilion.

She is among a trio of headline acts, joining UK club dance vocalist Amrick Channa, who has featured on The X-Factor and The Voice.

Completing the star line-up is fellow X-Factor singer Sam Callahan.

Other acts throughout the day include Empty Frets, George Redwood, New Forest Advent of Dance and En Masse Pop Choir.

A not-to-scale mock-up plan of how the event on New Milton recreation ground will look (Photo: New Forest Pride)
A not-to-scale mock-up plan of how the event on New Milton recreation ground will look (Photo: New Forest Pride)

There will also be bouncy castles, a family area and a variety of refreshments on offer.

Health and safety concerns over the planned parade through the town centre led to its cancellation, but it is hoped one will go ahead next year.

Shaun Hickman, New Forest Pride vice-operations officer, said: "We look forward to hosting New Forest Pride at the New Milton recreation ground for a day of exciting performances, tasty food and fun for all the family!”

Mr Hickman thanked the town and district councils, as well as Hampshire police, for their support in planning the event, which was originally set for 2020 before Covid-19 hit.

Security measures have been discussed in recent weeks, with organisers responding to the current 'substantial' UK terror threat level, the third of five.

As well as security staff on-site, visitors are warned random bag checks will be carried out for their safety.

However, a request to erect perimeter fencing around the green was rejected at a full town council meeting.

Although supporting New Forest Pride’s presence in New Milton, members resolved no fencing of any events on the recreation ground should be allowed.

Mr Hickman explained: “The current threat level to the UK is substantial, and as such our risk assessment has taken full consideration of any potential risk to public safety.

“Despite the council having declined the opportunity to perimeter fence the event, we have already put measures in place such as random bag searches and other mitigations to minimise the very small risk that this threat level could present and always planned for the event to not be fenced."



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