Bourne Free
Encyclopedia
Bournemouth
Bournemouth is a large coastal resort town in the ceremonial county of Dorset, England. According to the 2001 Census the town has a population of 163,444, making it the largest settlement in Dorset. It is also the largest settlement between Southampton and Plymouth...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and the constant strive towards universal equality for all – through entertainment and awareness.
Registered Charity No. 1115708.
Introduction
Bourne Free was originally set up in 2004 when a far rightFar right
Far-right, extreme right, hard right, radical right, and ultra-right are terms used to discuss the qualitative or quantitative position a group or person occupies within right-wing politics. Far-right politics may involve anti-immigration and anti-integration stances towards groups that are...
organisation was due to come to Bournemouth
Bournemouth
Bournemouth is a large coastal resort town in the ceremonial county of Dorset, England. According to the 2001 Census the town has a population of 163,444, making it the largest settlement in Dorset. It is also the largest settlement between Southampton and Plymouth...
and preach that homosexuality
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
was wrong. Many prominent figures and active members of the gay communities in the area came together to organise an event in the Lower Gardens to protect the gay communities from the bigots and keep them together for a day of celebration, rather than of hostility.
The event included entertainers performing at The Bandstand to support diversity, a balloon release with a 2 minute silence for victims of hate crime and Bournemouth's first Gay Pride
Gay pride
LGBT pride or gay pride is the concept that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people should be proud of their sexual orientation and gender identity...
march. By the end of the day those that had come together just a few weeks before the preachers came to Bournemouth
Bournemouth
Bournemouth is a large coastal resort town in the ceremonial county of Dorset, England. According to the 2001 Census the town has a population of 163,444, making it the largest settlement in Dorset. It is also the largest settlement between Southampton and Plymouth...
, the Bourne Free Committee, felt that they could have done even more if they had more time.
It was decided that the committee would get back together and repeat the event every year, but as an official charity
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
with designated roles. Bourne Free would become an annual celebration in the heart of Bournemouth
Bournemouth
Bournemouth is a large coastal resort town in the ceremonial county of Dorset, England. According to the 2001 Census the town has a population of 163,444, making it the largest settlement in Dorset. It is also the largest settlement between Southampton and Plymouth...
for everyone to see the diversities in the community and to enjoy a variety of entertainment. In 2006, the title of the event was changed to the Bourne Free Pride Festival.
Bourne Free Pride Festival 2009
The 2009 event took place between Friday 10th July and Sunday 13th July 2009. The event included a Friday Launch Party in The Triangle, Town centre Pride Parade on Saturday, 12 hour Street Party in the Triangle on the Saturday and a Family Funday on the Sunday in the Lower Gardens.Bourne Free Pride Festival 2008
In 2008 the Bourne Free Pride Festival took place over 3 days, from Friday 11th until Sunday 13th of July 2008. The event included a new Jazz Night at The Bandstand in the Lower Gardens and the Pride Parade moved onto the streets of Bournemouth. The popular Live Show and Street Party sections also returned.Bourne Free Pride Festival 2007
The event took place on Saturday 14 July 2007 and was a huge success with the largest number of visitors the event had ever attracted. The popular Beachfront Parade (with a 'by the sea' theme) and Live Show returned plus there was a new outdoor Dance Arena in the evening in The Triangle, the town’s gay village.The Beachfront Parade travelled along Bournemouth’s beach promenade towards the Pier Approach and into the Lower Gardens and the Live Show then kept the crowds entertained all afternoon at The Bandstand. In the evening The Triangle was transformed into an outdoor Dance Arena with live entertainment and an outdoor bar.
Bourne Free Pride Festival 2006
The event took place on Saturday 8 July 2006 and was a great success with high visitor numbers and a bright sunny day. The unique Beachfront Parade kicked off at 1pm from Alum Chine. The Bandstand in the Lower Gardens played host to acts all afternoon including Chenai from The X FactorThe X Factor (UK)
The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent. Created by Simon Cowell, it began in September 2004 and is contested by aspiring singers drawn from public auditions. It is the originator of the international X Factor franchise. The seven series of the show to date...
and the Intenso Project from the Ministry of Sound
Ministry of Sound
Ministry of Sound London, commonly referred to as simply Ministry of Sound or MoS, is a nightclub based in London, United Kingdom and an associated record label. It was ranked fourth in the 2010 DJ Magazine top 100 clubs poll 2010. As well as the nightclub in London, there is another in Egypt and...
.
There were charity and information stalls to browse and the Pier Showbar hosted a special Dance Arena with DJs and plenty of refreshments on offer. There were also tow Bourne Free after-parties. Dream Nightclub in The Triangle included Coco (from Fragma) and Hannah Jones
Hannah Jones
Hannah Jones is a British female dance music vocalist, who scored Three Top 5 hits on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in the late 1990s. Her first two songs hit #1 on that chart: "No One Can Love You More Than Me" in 1997 and "You Only Have To Say You Love Me" in 1998...
live on stage and BOLTS at the Pier Showbar had a special beachwear party.