WITH the return of Taunton Pride this weekend - see story on Page 4 - we thought you might like to take a look back at how it all started.

Originally created by Jenny Keogh and Liz Hutchin from Go Create, Taunton Pride started as part of The Taunton Live event.

The very first Pride took place in Goodland Gardens against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The event was a great success and more than 500 people attended.

Heading into 2022, Jenny and Liz needed to find additional help as it was very much apparent that there was a need and a passion for the celebration.

With that in mind, four additional volunteers stepped forward, and created Taunton Pride CIC to work alongside GoCreate to move the event to Vivary Park, and create Taunton Live and Pride, alongside the town’s very first Pride March.

A total of 5,000 free tickets were released, and consequently sold out in hours.

As the second hottest day of the year landed in the county town, just ahead of the 2022 heatwave, the community came together to enjoy the first large scale arts and pride event Taunton had ever seen.

An incredible day was had by all, and the seed for the future was planted.

Post the 2022 event, Jenny and Liz decided the time had come for Pride to become its own event, and they bowed out, leaving a refreshed team of directors to continue to develop Taunton Pride CIC, and any subsequent events.

So, to Saturday's (July 22) Taunton Pride.

READ MORE: Preparations for Taunton Pride 2023.

Celebrations have been taking place this week in the run up to the big day, which begins with a Pride march from Goodland Gardens at around 11.45am, passing through the town to Vivary Park, where the main event starts at noon.

There the ToneFM main stage will host acts ranging from Eurovision legend Nicky French, the voice of Bizarre Inc Angie Brown,

house diva Amrick Channa and drag cabaret legend and former contestant of RuPaul’s Drag Race Joe Black, plus host Arina Fox,

and Taunton’s Valerie Von Hussle.

Alongside the live entertainment you will find 70 exhibitors, street food, traders and community groups, Dorothy’s Silent Disco, the Pride funfair, Speakers’ Corner and a wellbeing zone.