Brighton care home residents take on UK's largest LGBTQ+ parade

Residents, relatives and staff at a Hallmark care home in Brighton have been on the streets celebrating Brighton Pride.

The 30 representatives from Maycroft Manor Care Home took part in Brighton Pride for the first-time dressing up in rainbow colours and holding flags for the occasion.

Residents also decorated their walkers and wheelchairs and handmade rosettes for the special event.

General manager, Richard Lawson said: “It was the most amazing day and went so much better than I ever thought it would be.

"Maycroft Manor will be remembered for a long time and the team were outstanding.”

Residents and staff at the care home started the day listening to a special Pride playlist to get them warmed up. When the taxis arrived to take the participants to the seafront, other residents waved them off while Will the chef and Dami one of the seniors proudly waved the flags for Maycroft.

The parade set off from Hove Lawns at 11:00 winding its way through the streets of the city and resident Gill Woods was hailed the ‘Queen of all Queens’ who was dancing for most of the parade which went past lots of Brighton’s landmarks.

Ms Woods said: “I had to keep pinching myself, I thought I was dreaming. I felt just like The Queen.”

Brighton’s first Pride was held in 1973 but it did not return until 1991. The weekend of celebrations usually attracts crowds of around 250,000.

The weekend also marked the 30th anniversary of Brighton Pride with Christina Aguilera and Paloma Faith both headlining the festival throughout the weekend. Previous headliners include Kylie Minogue and Britney Spears. Mariah Carey's appearance was twice cancelled in 2020 and 2021 because of the Covid pandemic.

This year's event also marks the 50th anniversary of the first march in Brighton organised by the Sussex Gay Liberation Front (SGLF).

Members of the care home team, friends and families joined in with the dancing and Maycroft had lots of applause and cheering from the crowds as the residents passed them.

Mr Lawson added: “It was a wonderful experience and we are now planning for a bigger and better parade next year!”

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