Gay day for revellers

Oldham's pride in its pink town emblem

OLDHAM town centre went pink on Saturday as the annual Gay Pride festival took off with revellers donning their finest fancy dress.

Crowds gathered outside Spindles Shopping Centre in hot sunshine to watch the event organised by the Oldham Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) Forum under the theme of “Flights of Fancy — A Way with the Fairies”.

And following speeches from Oldham Council leader, Howard Sykes, chief executive of Oldham Athletic, Alan Hardy and Oldham’s police chief, Chief Supt, Caroline Ball, the high-spirited parade featuring the pink carnival owl, stilt walkers and a pink stretch limo headed towards Gallery Oldham.

Roary the Roughyed and Chaddy the Owl also joined in the fun as part of the town’s two professional sports clubs’ attempt to kick homophobia out of Oldham.

There was live music in the Fairy Gardens, set up at the Gallery, from Geek Girl, Claire Mooney, Performance Plaza, Cavali and 80s disco queen Hazell Dean. The day was hosted by Jonathan Mayor and vampire queen Rosie Lugosi.

Urban Moves International Dance Festival presented the stunning outdoor show “Bluebird” featuring Australian performer Liz Lea who mixes music and movement.

There was also an opportunity for members of Oldham’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans communities to tell their stories by signing up to the Oldham LGBT archive project which was launched at the event.