I had a contact out of the blue on Thursday from a colleague asking about some Pride lanyards we developed and purchased a couple of years ago. They work for Surrey’s Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and wanted some to take to Brighton for the Parade – so I of course said yes, and threw in a comment about being jealous, without any agenda. “Fancy coming along?” was the response.
So that’s why I was up at and leaving the house early this morning. After some due consideration of options, and at the suggestion of the boy s, I drove down to Havant (which had the cheapest all day parking of £2.60) and got a train to Brighton, meeting said colleague on the train as they’d been travelling from Fratton (small world).
And what a day -marching along in a group with Sussex and Surry fire and rescue personnel and in front of a fire engine emblazoned with the phrase: “Fire. It doesn’t discriminate so why should we?”
There was music, there were crowds, there were surprisingly few barriers along the streets. Someone plugged their phone into the PA system for the fire engine and we added our music to the mix too. It was an experience.
I’ve marched in and attended a few of Prides now, but nothing like Brighton’s – and certainly nothing with such a varied cross-section of the public. I have seen things today.
And now I’m home again, everything hurts from all the walking – and Lady M is serving up food while the cub throws shade at everyone. So all is well with the world…