St Helens hosted a series of fantastic events over the weekend, including the borough’s first ever Pride festival.

In addition to Pride, Summer Streets featuring Titan the Robot and lots of family entertainment took place in St Helens town centre, Ruskin Drive hosted the Barton’s Pickle Lol Pennington Memorial Celebrity Bowls Challenge, and the Gerard Arms hosted a music festival featuring the return of local favourites Stillia to raise money for Violet’s Gift.

The Pride event was the first to be held in St Helens, and organisers hope it will be the first of many annual events championing equality, diversity and tolerance.

Working alongside the World of Glass, MD Productions, St Helens and Knowlsey Sexual Health Advice, and sponsors including Nicholsons, St Helens Labour Council fully supported the Pride event. Councillors including Leader David Baines, Deputy Leader Sue Murphy, and Cabinet Member for Community Safety Jeanie Bell were in attendance alongside crowds who were determined not to let the wet weather dampen their spirits!

Cabinet Member for Public Health, Leisure and Libraries Cllr Anthony Burns says: “It was a fantastic weekend of events in St Helens and I would like to thank all those who worked alongside the Council to help to make the Pride and Summer Streets events happen. And well done to the Gerard Arms for hosting such a successful event for a great cause.”