Hot weather, poetry, dancing, Shakespeare, bands, stalls, food, drinks...and lots of positive messages of equality and inclusion...

Every year there are a few events in Colchester that do make me feel proud (as well as over 50 Goodgym events of course). The running events go down pretty well with people achieving physical feats often to fund-raise or raise awareness of an issue, a few years back the Black Lives Matter demonstration was passionate and well planned and Pride has been a great family event.

What this year made me think about was the phrase "they live amongst us". What do you think of when those words are uttered? Aliens? Many of the stalls are designed to show people about acceptance and to breakdown stereotypes. Proud Police for example as well as the local political parties may focus on their day jobs 99% of the time but occasionally show that they have overcome prejudice to get where they are...and future generations shouldn't have to go through that...

The after party at Coda was fun and JamJar Band smased it!