Cancelled Pride event to go ahead despite vandalism

A Pride music event in Hertfordshire which had been cancelled due to safety concerns after banners were torn down twice is back on.

The first Loud & Proud event in London Colney will go ahead as planned at Shirley's Roadhouse on 20 June, featuring live music from Christina Aguilera, Elton John and Britney Spears tribute acts.

Organiser Chris Phillips said he had "felt a lot of support come to me" from the local community and would press ahead with the event.

He was also reassured, he added, by Hertfordshire Police, who told him they would support him if he staged it.

Phillips said he originally had concerns about the event after banners "were put up around the village and were taken down" so he put up "another load and they were taken down again".

He said he became "worried for the venue as the woman who runs it is often on her own" and he was "concerned what would happen on the day".

On social media, he thanked the local community for its support in helping him to change his mind and go ahead with the event.

Tickets had been £20, but it would now be free to attend.

As a result, he has asked for donations online and has raised £1,500 so far, but he said he needed up to £5,000 to run it.

The venue, which he described as the social club for the village, is capped at 500 and he expected about that number of people to attend.

Liz Needham, who has been a parish councillor since 2023, and a Hertfordshire county councillor in London Colney ward since 2025, said she was "delighted" it was now going ahead.

She said Phillips "was blown away by the amount of support" he had received.

Hertfordshire Police has been asked for comment.

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