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 BourneFree - Bournemouth's Pride Festival

2nd - 3rd JULY 2020




Bourne Free online for 2020 (posted here 20/06/2020)

Bourne Free Pride Festival will be hosting a Virtual Pride LIVE on their Facebook page from 5pm Saturday 4th July.
After making the difficult decision to cancel at Meyrick Park this year, Bourne Free hope this gives you a fun, alternative way to celebrate in the safety of your homes.
Go to : https://www.facebook.com/BourneFreePride
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Bourne Free 2021 Date and theme
(copy from https://bournefree.co.uk/bourne-free-2021-date-and-theme/  Posted here 20/06/202)

It was with great sadness that we took the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Bourne Free Pride weekend, especially as we had so many exciting things lined up for our new venue at Meyrick Park. We would like to thank the community, our volunteers, partners, sponsors and contractors for the support they gave us.

The last few months have been very strange and on behalf of all the Bourne Free Trustees we would like to send love and thoughts to the families and friends of everyone affected by Covid19, especially those who have lost a loved one due to this horrible virus.

Alongside the heart-breaking stories on the news we have also seen love and kindness, particularly from our emergency services and key worker heroes. They have shown resilience, bravery and kindness whilst supporting everyone in our community in their time of need regardless of nationality, religious beliefs, gender, race or sexuality. From everyone at Bourne Free we would like to take this opportunity to say thank you and well done.

With this in mind we’re proud to announce that the theme for 2021 will be ‘Stronger Together – Celebrating Our Emergency Services & All Key Workers’. Benjamin Horgan, Chair of Bourne Free, said – “All the Bourne Free Trustees have been blown away by the many stories of courage and hope that we’ve seen over the last few months.”

We want our 2021 Bourne Free Weekend to be an opportunity to recognise the people who are making a difference to our community; from NHS workers and carers to bus drivers, supermarket workers, posties and the unpaid volunteers who’ve given their time willingly. Come dressed to impress as your favourite key worker. From scrubs to uniforms, tabards to overalls and everything in-between to celebrate our real life heroes!

“We can’t wait to see everyone at Bourne Free next year and look forward to working with our principal sponsor Ageas Insurance to bring you a weekend that we promise will be worth waiting for.”

The Bourne Free Pride Weekend 2021 will be held on Friday 9th and Saturday 10th July at Meyrick Park, Bournemouth.
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Bourne Free off for 2020  (posted here 20/03/2020)

Bournemouth's Pride festival - BourneFree will NOT take place this year. 

Organisers said on there website:-

"In response to the uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19), the Bourne Free trustees are sad to announce the cancellation of “Bourne Free Pride Weekend 2020”, this includes all events planned for July 3rd – 5th.
We know this will come as a huge disappointment to all involved and clearly not the action we had hoped to take. Bourne Free takes the health and safety of our guests, volunteers and community very seriously and this is at the forefront of our decision."

You can read their full statement here - bournefree.co.uk/

Bournemouth Daily Echo ran this story -
https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/18321717.coronavirus-bourne-free-pride-festival-called-off/
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BourneFree 2020 dates announced.  (posted here 02/12/2019)

Dorset's biggest Pride event, BourneFree has today 2nd December announced it's 2020 July dates.

The Bournemouth event will take place over the 3rd & 4th of July (Friday/Saturday). The  theme this year is "Schools Out"
. They said in a twitter post -  "We are paying tribute to a landmark regulation for teaching relationships and sex education that comes into force in 2020"

Bournemouth Pride - new venue (posted here 31/01/2020)

BourneFree, Bournemouths annual Pride festival have recently announced on twitter a new venue for 2020.

" Bourne Free @bournefreeuk This year's #BourneFreePride will be at Meyrick Park which means Pride 2020 is going to be bigger and better than ever, with plenty of performances and activities to enjoy. Can't wait to see you all there."

You can see a short video about Bournemouth Pride here -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4h3lYnH8vyY&feature=youtu.be

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A quick report and pics from Bournefree -  Bournemouth Pride 2019
(posted here 13/07/2019 updated 14/07/2019)

For many years a number of Weymouth Gay Group guys and friends take the train trip to Bournemouth to enjoy this great gay day out! It's Dorset's biggest LGBT event of the year.

We had a really FAB time at this annual Pride event in Bournemouth. Always great to meet so many LGBT friends and allies.

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Brill to see Space Youth Project LGBT+ flags flying high!
Now in it's 15th year, BourneFree gets bigger every year!

The Parade through the town was longer, and many more community stalls were in the lower gardens, which attracted what looked like a record crowd in the sunshine.

The party took place in The Triangle with a sexual health pop up clinic too!

Bourne Free was established in 2004 to defend and promote the local LGBTQ+ community in the face of an organised homophobic protest planned for Bournemouth’s Lower Gardens.

We would like to thank the many volunteers who helped to make this Pride another super and safe event for all to attend.

You can see some of our Weymouth Gay Group photos below
.in a slide show.

Check out Gay Bournemouth site for more photos of the day here - .https://www.gaybournemouth.net/item/207-bourne-free-2019-gardens-40-photoshttps:
.... and ... from Bournemouth Daily Echo (14/07/2019) - "HUNDREDS bounced through the streets of Bournemouth for the Bourne Free Pride Festival parade and even more spectators watched on from packed town centre pavements with smiles on their faces. The annual Pride procession took place yesterday, filling the streets with a dazzling display of rainbow colours."
Over 100 photos - (and readers comments!)

https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/17768932.bourne-free-pride-festival-parade-bournemouth/

We hope to add more info about the day on Pride pages once we have recovered!

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More info about this years BourneFree (2019) check out - https://bournefree.co.uk/
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The pics, news & reviews below are from 2018, 2017 and 2016.

2018 Bournemouth Pride  Bournefree Friday 13th - Sunday 15th July.

Parade though Bournemouth and party in Triangle is on Saturday 14th July.
A group of us go on train (prob 09.20am -ask at our pub meet ups or email us well in advance) from Weymouth for the day. Join us!

More info about this brilliant local pride event on poster below ... and at -  https://bournefree.co.uk/


https://www.bournemouth.co.uk/whats-on/bourne-free-bournemouths-pride-festival-p2253263
Would you like to be in the Parade with the NHS?   Our Jonai from Dorchester writes...

I would like to invite you and WGG to take part in the parade with Dorset NHS LGBT on 14th July 2018. This will be the first time that NHS is on the parade as one group from Dorset. We welcome all LGBT+ to join us if they wish to. Please email me jonai.dasilva@nhs.net
This year’s theme is Hawaii. We are celebrating Equality & Diversity and the 70th NHS Anniversary. We are meeting on East Cliff about half away between Boscombe Pier and Bournemouth Pier at 10:30am. The parade starts at 11am.

 

Cheers,
Jonai da Silva (Chair NHS LGBT Initiative)

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Info about last years event below...

Oh! You missed it? The BEST & BIGGEST annual pride day in Dorset! The main day was Saturday JULY 1st 2017 with parade through Bournemouth, party in The Triangle, and all the brilliant lgbt community stalls in lower gardens.

On twitter check out #BourneFree and #BournemouthPride for loads of photos. On You tube search "BournmouthPride2017"  or "BourneFree" for loads of videos of the parade, and the party in Triangle with some brilliant stage acts.

Don't forget we put the date for next years BourneFree on our website as soon as we know it, often over 9 months in advance, so no excuse to miss the fun in 2018! We would like to thank all the volunteer team at BourneFree for putting yet another WAM BAM FAB pride event together for us all to enjoy! You are all super heroes!

We have rushed some pics onto this page, many more in the slide show below. We will get around to editing them and adding captions later. Read Stuarts review of the day below. How many of our guys and friends of our group can you spot?

Oh, and for more great pics check these links-

http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/15384778.PICTURES__Sea_of_colour_for_Bourne_Free_pride_parade/

http://www.gaybournemouth.net/item/166-66-photos-from-bourne-free-pride-parade-2017?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+GayDorsetNews+%28Gay+Bournemouth+%26+Dorset+News%29
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Review by Stuart

Dressed for the occasion in my camps garb, a Testival Suit, I set out with a number of Weymouth Gay Group guys on the 09:20 from Weymouth. 

For me, Bourne Free gets bigger and better each year. This year was the longest Parade I have known, very impressive and I must say I enjoyed the injection of testosterone once again, provided by the Wyvern Gay Rugby Club - they have a wonderful website, incidentally. 

After the parade, the entertainment and stalls were of a decent standard and I enjoyed them. It always surprises me that Stonewall don't come, but I understand from Colin that they may attend next year. 

A group of us then went to the Triangle for tea at Flirt, my favourite venue in Bournemouth. From there we were able to hear sufficient of what was going on in the enclosure for which you pay, to decide not to bother. 

At about six o'clock, I made my happy way to Bournemouth station for the trip back, and I look forward to next year! 

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From Gay Dorset -
10 Things You Need to Know about Bourne Free
Posted: 27 Jun 2017 02:18 AM PDT

Bourne Free is Bournemouth's LGBT Pride Festival and takes place each year to celebrate diversity in our community. Here are the top ten things you need to know to enjoy this year's fabulous festival. Have you got your own festival tips? Share them below.
1) It's happening this weekend with events on from Friday 30th June to Sunday 2nd July, most are free.
2) The theme this year is Superheroes - so dress up in your best outfits and be part of it.
3) There's a free open air cinema screening of The Incredibles on Friday at 5pm in The Triangle.
4) The pride parade is the most colourful aspect of the weekend and starts at 11am on East Cliff and travels through town to end up at The Triangle. Line the route and grab a rainbow flag to wave.
5) There is a free afternoon of family-friendly entertainment and information stalls in the Lower Gardens from 12.30pm on Saturday.
6) Heather Small from MPeople will be headlining on stage in The Triangle.
7) Other acts lined up include Livin Joy, Phats & Small, Brandon Block and the ever popular Angie Brown.
8) Wristbands are needed to enter The Triangle. The wristband gives you entry into The Triangle Arena with access to the onsite bar and catering facilities, dance and seating area’s next to the main stage and great entertainment. They are £12 each.
9) For £25 you get a VIP wristband. VIP access gives you the best views of the main stage, it’s own bar service, a meet and greet with some of the acts and complimentary fizz or soft drink.
10) On Sunday Kingston Lacy is holding a fringe event with a live Jazz Picnic from 2pm. Come along and enjoy live music, the National Trust property will also be flying the rainbow flag for the very first time.
Bourne Free has grown into one of Bournemouth's top event and there's plenty for all to enjoy. Come along and join in the fun.
Find out moreFull details about Bourne Free at www.bournefree.co.uk #
Come and stayWhy not make it a long weekend, see our selection of gay-friendly accommodation in Bournemouth.
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From Dorset Echo (29/06/2017)
full story and pics here- 
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/15379328.The_Incredibles__Heather_Small_and_a_superhero_parade__Get_ready_for_Bourne_Free_festival_/?ref=twt

The Incredibles, Heather Small and a superhero parade: Get ready for Bourne Free festival!
A WEALTH of entertainment has been lined up for the 13th annual Bourne Free festival which starts tomorrow.

The pride event kicks off with a family fun night from 5pm on Friday with a free open air screening of The Incredibles on the big screen at the Triangle.
The three-day festival celebrates lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender culture and this year’s theme is superheroes.
During Friday’s film screening there will also be face painting, a bouncy castle and free candy floss and popcorn.

Tribute acts including The Irreplaceable Beyonce Tribute will bring the first evening to a close before two full days of entertainment over the weekend.
The main event, a colourful parade through Bournemouth town centre, will begin at 11am on Saturday.
Dozens of floats will parade from East Overcliff Drive, making their way through the town centre towards the Triangle. And this year participants will be donning capes, masks and superhero costumes.
The parade will be followed by entertainment at the bandstand in the Lower Gardens and at the Triangle.

There is a free afternoon of family-friendly entertainment and information stalls in the Lower Gardens from 12.30pm on Saturday.
Singer Heather Small from M People will be headlining at The Triangle. Other acts lined up include Livin Joy, Phats & Small, Brandon Block and the ever popular Angie Brown.
Wristbands are needed to enter The Triangle and includes access to the onsite bar and catering facilities, dance and seating area’s next to the main stage and great entertainment. Tickets are £12 each.
Thousands of people are expected to join in the fun but there will also be a serious theme to the event.

On Sunday there will be a service, led by the Metropolitan Community Church at the Bourne Free stage in the Triangle, followed by coffee and cake at Flirt.
This year for the first time Kingston Kingston Lacy is holding a fringe event with a live jazz picnic from 2pm. There will be live music and the National Trust property will also be flying the rainbow flag for the very first time.

Oh! did you miss Bournefree 2016?  - report below. Thanks to all the Bourne free team who helped made it happen. News report here (see the comments section at the end !) -  http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/14607683.PICTURES__Bournemouth_s_gone_rainbow_coloured_for_Pride_/
Bourne Free - Bournemouth Pride  9 July 2016

A report of the day

Weymouth Gay Group guys have enjoyed this annual local event for many years now. It is a high light in our annual gay diary.  This years event did not fail to entertain us all, well apart from one younger member who felt a bit uncomfortable at most things “rain - bowed”. However he was happy to hover in the back ground. (No problem - it was his first pride).  

Four of us left Weymouth on the train, and we collected two more at Dorchester. Later we met six more of our guys/friends who where there.

The Parade at lunch time though the town is always great, so many people in it and they put a lot of effort in. I think the all male sporty group was enjoyed most by our guys!  Always good to see our Gary helping to carry the rainbow flag. Personally one of the things I enjoy most is seeing all the LGBT community stalls in the lower gardens. Such a great time to network, collect updated leaflets and info… and see friends we have not seen for a while. Including:- The Intercom Trust, Dorset Mind (MindOut), Space Youth Project, Lgbt Dorset Equality network, Dorset Health Watch, and more… The Dorset Police car in LGBT colours /Bourne free logo looked great too, while our guys enjoyed the free entertainment from the bandstand. Not as many free -bees this year, and hard to find any rainbow wrist bands. Would be nice to see even more stalls there next year. Major national groups like Stonewall are missing! Why?

Up into the Triangle mid afternoon via Easy Tiger (sex shop) to get some more rainbow pin badges (honestly that’s all!), then into the main event. The Triangle party. This is the part that most guys really should not miss. Stage with a great variety of acts, and music. Bar (drinks £3), and even a pop up sexual health clinic. I went for a little pick while others were getting on down (to the music). Our friends from OTR - Over The Rainbow run the clinic and I am very grateful for all the free condoms and the new flavoured lube to take out to The Philippines and other out reach places like Weymouth. Water Melon tasted good, but I prefer Mango !

We thank all the people who helped to make this annual event such a success again. The only comment we have every year about Bourne Free is how it is a bit disjointed with events in two parts of Bournemouth and not one central location. It means some people miss out on the whole experience, and a part of it that may be helpful for them. Who in the lower gardens had free sexual health /advice/check up? Who in the Triangle knows about/saw all the interesting stalls in the lower gardens? I accept no easy answer to this, however  could the Bourne Free website list all the community stalls with contact info?

So what happened to our younger guy who was happy just to be in the back ground? Well he returned home covered in Rainbows! With a little help from a friend or two  - and says he will be back next year ! 
Join us …  1st July 2017. Put it in your gay diary NOW!

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Please make sure you check out all our other pages, lots of local lgbt events, local lgbt news, helplines and info on Weymouth & Portland Pride!
This page was last updated 20/06/2020   Weymouth Gay Group 2021
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