Thousands of people expected at this weekend's Reading Pride

Organisers of this weekend's pride say they hope up to 12,000 people will attend the event.

Like so many gatherings it'll be the first since 2019 and goes ahead despite Pride events in London and Brighton being called off this year.

The Pride festival takes place on Saturday the 4th of September in King's Meadow, but before that there'll be a parade starting at 1030am at Queen's walk near to Broad Street Mall.

Love Unites

The theme this year is 'Love Unites' and organisers say:

"In a world shrouded with hate and oppression we hope that in our little way our Love Unites message will give people the spirit and energy to rise up and defend those who are oppressed and those activists past and present who fight and have fought for our freedom, we are in your debt.

"So when we are asked what is the Love Unites Festival, we answer simply by saying It is our right as a Pride to protest against inequality and protect those most vulnerable.

"Together our voices will drown out hate and inequality"

James, David & Joe

The event will also remember James Furlong, David Wails, and Joe Richie-Bennett who were murdered in the Forbury Gardens last year.

Pride chief executive Martin Cooper was friends with them and says he wants to get the balance right:

"I mean they were friends of mine as well, and I was heavily involved in the memorials and speaking on behalf, and working with the families, it was extremely sad, they were gems of guys taken too soon.

"I want it to be a happy positive event including that memory of them because I also want ensure people to feel safe and secure when attending and I don't want any negative or unhappy memories to occur but we will memorialise them"

Parade details

Meeting from 10:30am, the Parade will be setting off at 11:15am from Queens Walk, between Broad Street Mall & Pentahotel. We will start by turning right onto Oxford Road heading towards Metro Bank, crossing at St Mary’s Butts we will parade through Broad Street until we turn left into Market Place Square and follow the road round to The Forbury where the parade will continue into Forbury Gardens.

At the exit of Forbury Gardens the parade will split into two to allow safe crossing of Forbury Road and meet on the other side to head under the railway line. Turning right onto Kings Meadow Road, we will finally reach the tow path on the left and walk along the river thames to the Love Unites Festival entrance.