Rainbow flag raised in run-up to Pride

A rainbow flag is being flown above Wokingham Borough Council’s offices ahead of this Saturday’s Wokingham Pride celebrations.

Wokingham Pride 2025 kicks-off colourfully from 11am, for photographs in Wokingham Market Place. At 11:30am, a parade will begin from the Town Hall to Elms Field. There, from 12noon until 5pm, people are invited to come and enjoy all this year’s festivities. Stalls and live music are planned.

“Raising the rainbow flag is an important way to show support for Pride,” said Wokingham Borough Mayor, Cllr Carol Jewell, who performed the ceremony at the council’s Shute End offices earlier this week. “It celebrates our diversity as a borough. Everyone should be proud of who they are.” 

The very first UK Pride parade took place in London on 1 July 1972, timed to recognise the then three-year anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York, the USA.

More than half a century later, Wokingham Pride 2025 is a free, family event for the LGBTQ+ community. Everyone who supports the aims of Pride is welcome.

Last year, Wokingham Pride became a registered charity, supporting the LGBTQ+ community all year round.

“We want all residents to feel recognised,” said Cllr Rachel Bishop-Firth, the executive member for equalities, inclusion and fighting poverty. “The council has a key role here, to show leadership and to campaign for equality.”

Cllr Bishop-Firth added: “This is the seventh year now that we’ve raised the rainbow flag at Shute End. Pride represents all towns and villages in the borough. Support from the council has been key in building Wokingham Pride into what it is today."

Visit Wokingham Pride’s Facebook page for latest updates ahead of Saturday.