Wimborne has hosted its first ever Pride event, marking a new moment of visibility and celebration for the LGBTQ+ community.
The celebration took place on Saturday, June 13, as part of the town’s Wimborne Minster Folk Festival, and included a parade and a gathering in the square to raise awareness.
Vikki Slade, the Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, said: "Wimborne’s Pride celebration is long overdue, and what a fantastic success it’s been."
The event was organised by Phil Webb, who was outed as gay while serving as Wimborne Minster’s mayor more than 30 years ago.
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Ms Slade attended the event and spoke about the importance of representation in smaller communities.
She said: "Everyone deserves to feel seen and represented, and it was fantastic to see the LGBTQ+ community celebrated so openly.
"In a close-knit town like Wimborne, where Pride hasn’t had a presence before, these moments matter."
She expressed hopes for Wimborne Pride to become an annual tradition.
She said: "I hope this is just the beginning.
"Wimborne Pride has the potential to grow into an even bigger annual celebration for the whole town."
The town has been named Dorset’s Town of Culture for 2026 and has a population of just over 11,000.
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