CAMPAIGNING and promoting the work of Amnesty International like I have done at a number of Swindon and Wiltshire Pride Events, it always has memorable highlights.

This year’s event had many, three of which I would like to share with the Adver.

While on the parade around Old Town with two of my AI colleagues, Annie and Heather, it was obvious there were more people lining the route, clapping, cheering, taking photos etc.

Most noticeable along Westlecot Road with a number of residents in their front gardens; also, Wood Street was filled with shoppers stopping to look, likewise people coming out of the restaurants and bars to enjoy and absorb the atmosphere.

Secondly, it is heartwarming to see many parents and grandparents at the event with young children. How inspiring to see children being brought up to respect people in society, no matter whether it’s the colour of skin, religion, or in this case, the LGB TI community, bringing them up with the knowledge that people are different, but we are all equal in life.

Finally, a young man came over to our AI stall and told us he had set out from Warrington in Cheshire at 3.30am on Saturday morning, arriving at the Town Gardens at 7am. In doing so, the gates in Westlecot Road were obviously locked and looking into the gardens he thought he was at the wrong location. Why? Well, he travels to a number of Pride events and a lot of them are held in fields.

His words to us were: “The Town Gardens is one of the nicest settings for a Pride event, alongside a real family friendly environment.”

Congratulations must go to the gardeners who keep the gardens superbly maintained and the Pride organisers for yet another fabulous day.

I look forward to Pride 2016.

MARK WEBB Old Town Swindon