Here we go again!
No sooner is one Pride over than we are planning your event for next year. We would like to give you an up-date on the progress so far.
What you said about Gloucestershire Pride 2011
During the afternoon event we carried out a survey to see what you thought about Gloucestershire Pride 2011. This helps us to plan for improvements for future Prides. The Committee then had a debrief meeting to discuss the points raised and our own observations.
Here’s what you thought.
The Committee were aware on the day of some of the weakness and will take steps to improve these. Hot drinks will be available. The price and quality of the catering was not the issue but the speed of service. Moregrills and staff will be available next time. A greater variety of food will be looked into.
The clash of music will also be dealt with. Now we know how the venue ‘works’ we will site the stage and dance tent differently.
The Annual General Meeting
After extensive publicity, using a range of media including: flyers, posters, the website, networking, Facebook, and local media the
AGM was held 31st July 2011 at the Fountain, Westgate Street, Gloucester. The Chair thanked last year’s Committee. The Treasurer presented accounts. There were several amendments made to the Constitution. The meeting then held elections. The Chair, Secretary and Treasurer were re-elected. The Committee then elected 9 Committee Members. These included 6 new voting members. Further members were co-opted as non-voting members. At the first Committee meeting Deputy Officers were appointed and various sub- committees were set up.
Choosing your venue
The committee are aware that that we are Gloucestershire Pride and we seek to be inclusive. In the interests of community
cohesion we decided to explore the possibilities of moving the event around the county.
Various members were tasked with looking at other possibilities and any wider considerations. When members reported back, several issues became apparent. Outside the two major urban areas most public open spaces were under the control of town/parish councils. Transport also seemed a problem.
Enquiries were made of The Forest of Dean Council. They were surprised that we should consider the area but understood the need for
diversifying. They expressed concerns over transport. Cinderford or Lydney seemed the only possibilities but the spaces were too small. As far as Cheltenham was concerned, it seemed that Cotswold Pride was intending to hold an event in 2012. Stratford Park was the only possibility in Stroud. The Council would charge. The hilly nature of Stroud made a Parade difficult and its route would be along the A46 which would complicate matters.
Cirencester replied that it was not an event they would look to hosting. No other area responded.
The County’s population statistics were looked at. They showed that the main concentration of the population was in the Gloucester-Cheltenham urban belt.
Transport links were studied. Many venues were accessible by public transport only by long journeys both in distance and time. Only Cheltenham, Gloucester and Stroud were viable. There was a question as to whether the public transport system had the capacity to cope with the numbers involved
The overall situation was that only Cheltenham and Gloucester were viable locations.
Cotswold Pride seemed to be on-going and it was felt that the committee should not invade their space as this would be disrespectful. It was too difficult to get people to travel. The transport system was based around Cheltenham and Gloucester. The only two LGBT venues were in the two areas. Other county based Prides seemed not to rotate although a French regional Pride did.
Therefore, the Committee chose Gloucester.
Where in Gloucester?
The Docks were now charging a lot. The other drawbacks were noted. There was no reason to doubt that the Council would not welcome the event in The Park. There had been no complaints about last year’s event at any level. The Park was a good venue.
Therefore, the Park was chosen.