Wilde Ones, Pride in Brighton and Hove's production company for the last ten years, have announced they disagree in principle with the Pride boards assessment of it's current financial problems, and subsequent proposed solutions.

They have tabled a fully costed proposal to stage the same event in 2010 as they produced this year on Preston Park. They promise additional enhancements to all the attractions on the park with all profits from the entry donation going to local LGBT voluntary sector and HIV organisations.

The 'business/community' partnership proposal includes the complete fencing of Preston Park to maximise the collection of donations on entry to the park. This will restrict the activities of illegal peddlars and sellers of alcohol, resulting in lower drinks prices in the bars on the site, they claim.

All this year's main attractions will be saved, including the Calabash Tent, the Women's Tent, the Line Dancing Tent, The Dance Big Top, the Girls' Dance Tent, the Bears' Tent, the Indie Tent the Cabaret Big Top and the fun fair.

You can find full details of the proposal by clicking here.

As part of the proposals, Pride in Brighton and Hove, the charity, would continue to organise the Parade, the Pride week and Winter Pride events.

The rescue plan has been tabled after Wilde Ones declined to tender for next years event after Pride announced a root and branch review of their activities which included proposals to axe the major attractions from Preston Park to create a new 'community heart' to the event.

Wilde Ones have said they have concerns about the ability of the present board to deliver the event people want in 2010, calling Pride's proposals no more than a 'picnic in the park'.

In an open letter they pointed to Pride's core costs as the root of the current financial problems.

More than 6,300 people have joined the Save Brighton Pride As We Know It facebook group set up after Pride announced their proposals for consultation.


Cllr Paul Elgood, the openly gay leader of the Lib Dems on Brighton and Hove council said:
"This looks like a positive way forward to secure the future of Pride as the city's premier event.

"To scale back the event when it continues to go from strength to strength is madness. For example, the Wild Fruit Tent is certainly one of the most popular parts of the park and the Women's Tent makes a huge contribution as part of the community remit of Pride.

"The proposal also assures the community grants element of Pride. This funding is vital to many community groups and activities.

"The current uncertainty over the future of the event has been a PR disaster for Pride. This proposal from event professionals would bring back stability and confidence for next year's event.

"Pride should continue to grow and must not go backwards. It must also remain predominantly free for people to attend. This is a way of achieving this and securing the future of Pride."

Cllr Gill Mitchell leader of the Labour group on Brighton and Hove Council said:
“Brighton Pride must be saved and it is especially important, given the recent spate of serious and fatal homophobic attacks, that the event next year goes ahead and is supported. I would urge all involved to work together, including the council who have a key role to play here”.

Jess Wood, director of Allsorts Youth Project said:
"This proposal would let the current Pride committee - who are packed full of devoted, lovely (and currently very bruised) LGBT community spirited people - run the LGBT community side of things like the parade and community events in winter and summer pride leaving the somewhat more hard nosed business people to take the risks and knocks of running the huge event that Pride on Preston Park has become.

"I personally think the two paid workers at Pride are highly professional. The scale of what they have had to manage is enormous. For me it is more about business AND community;  fun-park AND awareness-raising parade/activities - not that these are mutually exclusive but perhaps the park is now so big, it ought to be run by equally big businesses and not a small charity? 

"Finally, the LGBT element needs to be protected and I see no one better fit for that purpose than the Pride workers and trustees. This way, perhaps all the current players can have a role and all be included and maybe the unpleasant attacks on our Pride in Brighton and Hove trustees and workers can stop right here and we can all move forward together!"

A spokesman for Brighton & Hove City Council said:
"The council recognises the huge benefit Pride brings to the city and, in particular,
to the LGBT community. We would, therefore, support any positive development that helped secure its future."

James Ledward editor of Gscene said:
"To get the support and endorsement of Gscene Magazine, fundraising for our LGBT/HIV groups and organisations must be central to the mission of a party on Preston Park. Wilde Ones are pledging all profits from the donation charge to get onto Preston Park, will go to our groups and organisations. This bid should be considered as part of Pride's consultation process. 

If necessary we should go to an online vote to see where the LGBT community stands on this issue. The people must decide on this one. No-one else."

To read the rescue plan, download the proposal here.