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Worthing Pride 2019 has lift off!

Organisers of Worthing’s second Pride event unveil exciting line-up for 2019 event at a launch party hosted by main sponsors, The Cow and Oak Bar and Restaurant, Worthing.

WP Event Management team (left to right) Claire Fuller, James Spencer, Andy Kelly, Keira Thomas, Josie Kelly, WP Sound and Light Marc Woollard, and Hope Charity founders Claire Sparrow and Paul Mant.
WP Event Management team (left to right) Claire Fuller, James Spencer, Andy Kelly, Keira Thomas, Josie Kelly, WP Sound and Light Marc Woollard, and Hope Charity founders Claire Sparrow and Paul Mant.

FOLLOWING a vibrant Parade along the Promenade, ending at Splashpoint Rocks, Pride-goers can expect star-studded entertainments for the Main Event at Beach House Grounds on Worthing seafront.

If last year is anything to go by, thousands are expected to attend the self-styled biggest tea party and fete the county has ever seen!

Worthing Pride 2019, on Saturday, July 13, will be headlined by Magic Queen, the UK’s best Queen tribute act. Fans of the group say unanimously that Magic Queen are the closest an audience will get to seeing Freddie Mercury and the legendary band.

Other legends taking to the Pride stage this year are drag artists Dave Lynn, Cherry Liquor and Mary Hinge, soul-singing duo, Heart and Soul, and vocalist, Sam Solace. DJ Patch will perform a special set from the decks.

Richard Hadfield
Richard Hadfield

Worthing Pride welcomes local boy Richard Hadfield, who won Britain’s Got Talent as part of singing group, Collabro to the mainstage.

Also gracing the stage, making a welcome return to Worthing Pride, are singing star Jason Lee, the formidable Davina Sparkle and Disney-Diva, Miss Disney.

Finally, back by popular demand to host the main stage is Spice; the fabulous compere, singer, and ‘gender discombobulator’.

Launch night guests were thrilled to hear about the line-up for the 2019 event, while for technology and administration experts, Equiniti, it’s the second-time round as Worthing Prides’ second sponsor.

Equiniti LGBT Network Treasurer, Jenny O’Callaghan, said; “We are thrilled to be supporting Worthing Pride once again, and we are looking forward to getting involved on the day, taking part in the Parade on the Prom.”

Nationwide transport giants, Stagecoach, who have a base in Worthing, are also “over the moon” to be supporters of the event.

The company’s Operations Manager, Rob Vince said; “We’re working on plans to promote Worthing Pride on our buses, with one special bus, ‘The Pride of the Fleet’, featuring Worthing Pride’s themed designs, so watch this space.”

Also present at the launch were founders of the Hope Charity Project, Worthing Pride’s chosen charity 2019, with all profits from the event donated to the groups work.

Horsham-based founders, Claire Sparrow and Paul Mant, created the charity project from circumstances that affected their now 15-year-old daughter. A combination of mental health issues and failings from a care system in crisis, the founders created a self-styled ‘happy place’ on an acre of donated land near Horsham.

Claire said; “The Hope Charity Project could not be more grateful to be chosen and supported by a wonderful event. We are small charity project, we need to grow in order to reach the kids – and their families – in crisis. Worthing Prides’ support will help us grow and reach out further into the community.”

In July 2018, sell-out crowds descended on Worthing making the first Worthing Pride a huge success for the town.

Worthing Pride founder, Josie Kelly said; “We were overwhelmed with the success of our towns first Pride, and how everyone embraced the event. We loved the chilled, family vibe and we were touched by many coming-out stories and others that said how wonderful it was to see all couples, regardless of sexuality, feeling comfortable and safe to be true to themselves. We hope to replicate that vibe this year.”

Worthing Pride, proudly sponsored by local independent bar restaurants, the Cow Shed and Cow & Oak, and Equiniti. All proceeds will go to local organisation, The Hope Charity Project.

The colourful Parade on the Prom starts at 12pm, followed by the Main Event at Beach House Grounds from 1pm till 10pm.

Tickets will be on sale from March 4, along with more Pride event and Parade registration information.

Follow on Facebook or to visit the Worthing Pride website; click here:

Brighton Fringe unveil programme of events for 2019 festival

Brian Butler previews the 2019 Brighton Fringe programme, which this year has the theme Dare to Discover.

BRIGHTON Fringe organisers will hope to repeat last year’s record-breaking attendances of over half a million with a season of theatre, music, dance, cabaret, comedy and much else that aims to show that the arts are accessible to everyone and can be discovered by anybody.

Last year’s Fringe brought nearly £16 million into the local economy, with over 4,000 events and performances. This year promises more with over 200 free events, and an accent on people with access needs, including those with visible and  invisible disabilities.

Julian Caddy
Julian Caddy

Julian Caddy, CEO of Brighton Fringe said: “Brighton Fringe continues not only to grow, but also to establish itself as the home for the greatest range, depth and breadth of creative work of any festival in England. This is the product of the incredible contribution made by the participants and venues to help make this happen.There is truly something for everyone so we dare you to discover what is on offer.”

Cllr Dee Simson
Cllr Dee Simson

Councillor Dee Simson, Mayor of Brighton and Hove, added: “As well as congratulating local performers on the hard work they’ve put in, I’d like to applaud and extend a warm welcome to the international talent taking part in our Nordic and Dutch seasons this year, which are truly establishing Brighton Fringe as a leasing global arts festival.”

As well as hundreds of new offerings, some of last year’s Fringe award winners are returning, including Andrew Farr in his Edith Piaf Live at the Nimegue, and Oskar’s Amazing Adventure by Theatre Fideri Fidera.

The ever-popular Lady Boys of Bangkok will be back but in a new venue at King’s Gardens, on Hove lawns.

The international seasons will feature work from the Faroe Islands, Finland, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.

And the highly popular Spiegeltent on the Old Steine will play host to, amongst others, Camille O’Sullivan, The Amazing Bubble Man, Bourgeois and Maurice Herbie’s Jazz Breakfast, Alfie Ordinary, and David Hoyle.

At the Old Market there will be 6 days of burlesque, comedy, dance, performance, theatre and virtual reality.

The Old Courtroom will feature The Milkman’s on His Way, a stage version of David Rees’ groundbreaking novel about growing up gay in the 1980’s .

Sussex Symphony Orchestra and soloists will present Heroes and Heroines – an evening exploring opera’s most dramatic men and women – stories of lust, passion, death and betrayal.

Brighton Fringe runs from May 3 to June 2.

To book tickets for all shows online, click here:

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