Ashington Pride Picnic, held on Saturday, September 7th 2024, at Hirst Park, was a huge success, uniting the community in a celebration of diversity and inclusivity. Building on the success of last year’s event, the Ashington Town Council worked alongside Pride Action North and Northumberland Communities Together to offer a day of family-friendly activities and entertainment.
A spokesperson for Pride Action North said, “Pride is crucial vehicle to bring LGBTQIA+ people together to celebrate community and have the opportunity to meet, learn and take part in activities that matter to them. We’re proud to have partnered with Ashington Town Council to bring pride alive for Ashington and look forward to making sure all LGBTQIA+ people have the support they need to thrive”
The event kicked off with an official opening by Ashington Civic Head Cllr Caroline Ball, who welcomed the first performers from Gladwin’s Ballet and Stage School, setting the stage for an energetic and exciting day.
Throughout the event, attendees were treated to a variety of performances. Highlights included routines from Gladwin’s Ballet and Stage Schools, performances from MX drag Winner 2025 Bella B Campbell, Velvet Snatch, Gloria Love, and a soulful performances by The Future is Queer singer Michael T Olgivlie. BREAK.NE’s brought along interactive breakdancing workshops, a big hit with children and young people, adding a fresh and dynamic element to the day. Thanks to Graeme from Ashington Panto Group for providing expert PA services,
In addition to the entertainment, a wide variety of of organisations offered information and creative activities. Groups like Mortal Fools, Curious Arts, Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Pride Action North, YMCA Northumberland, Full Circle Food Project (who also provided delicious free cupcakes), Unison, GMB, Escape Family Support, Northumberland Domestic Advice Service, Northumberland Community Safety Team, Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service, and Northumberland Community Bank were all in attendance, enriching the event with their resources and activities enjoyed by local families.
Koast Radio kept the atmosphere alive with live broadcasts throughout the day. Families enjoyed complimentary refreshments such as tea, coffee, cupcakes, and candy floss, while a variety of stalls offered items for browsing, with a standout display of model trucks capturing many visitors’ attention.
The event’s success was due to the hard work of many, including Ashington Town Council’s Mark and Ryan, Pride Action North’s Angela and August along with Northumberland County Council staff, who managed setup and clean-up. Photographers Haydn and Roy captured the day’s highlights, preserving LGBTQIA+ culture and impact.
One attendee shared, “Really grateful to the organisers of this fantastic and important event. It’s been full of joy, colour, and smiles, just like the LGBT community! Really thoughtfully organised, it was great to see so many community organisations involved, showing how welcoming and inclusive our town is. Absolutely loved today—thank you to everyone involved! Can’t wait for next year!”
The Ashington Pride Picnic was more than just a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community; it demonstrated the town’s dedication to inclusivity and diversity and Pride Action North’s commitment to partnership working and resource sharing. As the event grows each year, it continues to exemplify Ashington’s welcoming spirit and the strength of community collaboration.
Pride Action North was proud to be part of this event, thanks to funding received from the Northumberland Inclusive Economy Community Partnership (NIECP), where Northumberland County Council is the Lead Accountable Body. Our project, Roaming Roots, is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, with the North East Combined Authority as the Lead Authority.