31 August 2013

 

Village Manchester took part in the 23rd annual Manchester Pride celebrations over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

 

by Rob McPherson

 

From Thursday to Monday, the club threw themselves wholeheartedly into the festivities - reacquainting themselves with old friends...and making a few new ones along the way!

 

To kick things off, the club took part in the now legendary It's a Gay Knockout competition outside Taurus on Thursday evening. Despite fierce competition we emerged victorious - meaning the illustrious accolade of being It's a Gay Knockout champions sits proudly alongside that of the IGFLA European title we won in Dublin earlier this summer.

 

On Saturday afternoon the club were one of 100 groups and organisations that marched through Manchester as part of the Pride Parade. Players carried banners, gave out stickers and took in the cheers and waves of the thousands of spectators that lined the city centre streets. Manchester Pride stalwarts were joined by Parade virgins Jeremy, James, Craig, Steven and Reid who fully immersed themselves in the occasion!

 

On Sunday the club came together outside Taurus to see Polly and the S.L.U.T.S (the Salford Ladies United Temperance Society) strut their 'unique' styles and to soak up the much welcome Manchester sun.

 

Throughout the weekend, the club had a stall at the Lifestyle Expo where prospective players and spectators could find out more about the club. We had a number of interested people come up to us and we look forward to welcoming them to the club in the near future.

 

Following performances from The Feeling, Sam Sparro, MKS (the original Sugababes), Shayne Ward and Kate Nash on the Main Stage - which ensured players had sore voices and aching feet come Tuesday morning! - it was time to end the Pride Weekend on a poignant note as a number of the team attended the George House Trust Candlelit Vigil. 

 

It was a great weekend and we would like to thank John, Johnathan, James, Jeremy, Anthony and Steve who did a great job getting everything ready for the weekend.

 

To see pictures and videos of Village Manchester at Manchester Pride 2013 visit our Facebook page.