By Carol Mills
Eastbourne Pride held their free Pride Street Party in “Little Chelsea” yesterday, 18th July. And what a fantastic party it was. Loads of street stalls with all sorts included; a music stage; mini events taking place in different shops that opened up onto streets and more.
But first, just to say, most of our number were at the Anti-Fascist counter protest in Brighton, called to drive out Nick Tenconi and his “9th Crusade” far-righters. And. As we figured and had organised for, they were vastly outnumbered (one estimate being their no more than 300 to our 4000). Job done. Such a success. And being a part of national action from Brighton to Belfast! Great work everyone.
Now. My job that day was to cover Pride. I’d been asked by my union, Unite Community, to help out at the Unite stall, but I could only visit the stall as I was wearing several hats. I was at Pride with Eastbourne’s International Film Festival, and with Peoples Eastbourne/ Engels in Eastbourne Radical History Campaign and in other capacities. (You know how it is, probably?)
With my Radical History hat on, I made some really useful contacts including Kathy Harding from Seahaven Radio. We discussed my hopefully joining her live show in the run up to the Opening Commemoration Event of a Robeson Room at the Winter Garden, hopefully to take place during October’s Black History month. Robeson performed at the Winter Garden for over a decade to sold-out audiences with queues of disappointed fans left outside. Not to mention, of course, his being the greatest civil rights spokesperson of his time! An 8 years long campaign and we are 2 blinks away from formal approval. You can’t imagine my excitement.
But I was there for fun too. The Music Stage provided seven hours of entertainment hosted by Fonda Cox – Drag and Comedy Queen and Sarah B – DJ. And I can’t leave out the Printers Playhouse Community Choir, conducted by the inspirational motivator Viv Berry. I simply love this choir. Their full performance was as exhilarating as ever. I particularly enjoyed Alice Merton’s No Roots.
So that’s it folks. A somewhat “bus person’s” account of our town’s fantastic Pride Street Party. Many thanks go out to all those involved in organising.
Find out more at Eastbourne Pride website
(Previously published in Connections Newsletter issue no. 5)
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