Brighton Pride

Was at Brighton Pride this weekend. Last time I went was about eight years ago. It's changed. Bigger. Much bigger. But still very well organised.

Given that I grew up with the Gala, now Feast and Fayre in Darrington a small village in West Yorkshire, I'm not convinced that bigger is better.

The Feast and Fayre started as a few stalls, annually getting grander before ending one year with sky divers landing in the village field. It was then that some members the Parish Council realised that it was turning from a local community event into something less warm, less friendly and too showy.

In London, people have fond memories of the first Summer Rites in 1996 in Kennington Park, London. I remember people saying that, once more, they had a London, local event. Then the obsession with size and with excess. And I don't hear too many positive comments any longer about Pride/Mardi Gras in London.