READING Pride had another successful year with more than 15,000 people turning up to celebrate the diversity of the town last weekend.

The festival kicked off with a colourful parade which saw hundreds carrying banners, beating drums and wearing rainbow coloured garlands, hats and clothes. 

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There were many stalls there from Thames Water to Reading FC all showing their support for the LGBT+ community.

Chair of Reading Pride, Paul Britt, explained support from the town has increased over the years with many businesses decorating their shops.

He revealed the atmosphere is "always amazing and this year was no exception".

He said: "The general atmosphere of inclusion and love, and the joy to be able to freely express yourself without judgement is something many of the LGBT+ community do not get to experience everyday, and you can feel the freedom and happiness in the air and this is intoxicating. 

"Seeing two dads taking their children to family area with everyone smiling, and watching everyone be so happy, is a reminder of why we do, what we do."

Mr Britt thanked everybody who attended the parade or festival, and anyone who was involved from the committee to businesses. 

Among stall holders were Support U, a charity founded in 2010 that supports Reading’s LGBT+ community and its allies. 

The CEO and founder, Lorna McArdle explained she was one of the initial organisers of Reading Pride and has been visiting the festival since it started in 2004. 

Her charity was in fact set up following the launch of Reading Pride as Miss McArdle realised people needed support.

She too believes the festival has grown year on year and explained this is a testament to organisers. 
She said: "I am really chuffed that they have been able to grow the festival to the point when we have rainbow crossings.”

READ MORE: Reading residents react to eye-catching Pride tribute.

Miss McArdle thinks the festival is becoming more inclusive with stands supporting the autistic LGBT+ community present at this year's event. 

Heading the parade was Reading East MP, Matt Rodda who believes the "wonderful" event is getting better each year. 

He believes the local community is very supportive and Pride is an "uplifting" and "friendly" event. 

However, it's not just the Reading community that visit Pride - people come from near and far to take part.

Imogen Shepherd-DuBey, leader of Wokingham town council, has been visiting Pride since it started and believes that the event is "not just a pride for Reading but the whole of the Thames Valley area".

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service were also at the event. 

After taking part in the parade, staff talked to members of the public, providing advice on fire, road and water safety and sharing information about opportunities to join the Service.

Steve Foye, Deputy Chief Fire Officer, said: “We’re enormously proud to have attended Pride again this year and being able to walk as part of parade is always a great personal privilege. 

"Being part of the day is a great opportunity for the Service to actively support inclusion and is just one of ways in which we ensure we are accessible to everyone. 

“We want our services to be accessible to everybody in the communities that we serve, and the best way to ensure this is to make sure that all areas of these communities are represented within our Service."

Anyone who like to be involved in the event for next year, can contact Reading Pride via their website.