Bourne Free Pride Festival took place this year, despite the event being cancelled in 2020 because of the pandemic.

But back in 2001 the event also hung in the balance as the LGBT community – and the community as a whole – feared for the future of the event.

The Party in the Park at Meyrick Park – part of the Pride Bournemouth festival – was in jeopardy after a decision made by the licensing committee drastically reduced the number of hours the event could be held over.

Bournemouth Borough Council decided not to contest an appeal against its original decision to restrict the hours of the event.

Magistrates later agreed to let the Party in the Park run from noon to 9pm on August 4 at Meyrick Park.

Bournemouth Echo: Gay Pride in MeyrickPark.The Benidorm Dolly Sisters on the slide

Organisers said the party would likely have been cancelled were they required to stick to the committee’s conditions.

The pictures in the gallery above are from the event that actually went ahead in 2001.