Plans for celebrating Pride in Knowsley this year have received a major boost with the announcement of ‘Prescot Pride’ activities that will expand the inclusive celebrations across the borough on Saturday 19 July.
The events, taking place in Prescot town centre, will be delivered by Sahir and the Shakespeare North Playhouse. The town centre event aims to complement the family-friendly activities organised by One Knowsley which will take place in Court Hey Park (12pm to 2pm).
The Prescot celebrations aim to provide an alternative but linked opportunity for LGBQT+ adults specifically to engage with activities and entertainment during the day and into the evening.
Ant Hopkinson, Chief Executive from Sahir, Liverpool’s City Region’s largest and oldest LGBTQ+ charity said:
“The daytime programme will be relaxed, welcoming and neurodivergent-aware and cater for people who may not have attended a Pride event before or have faced barriers to access. We really want people to feel welcome, included and involved.
“In addition to the activities organised by Sahir and Shakespeare North Playhouse it is hoped that local bars and eateries will also get involved and show their support to create a town-centre wide Pride.”
Starting from 2pm, Prescot will come alive with a variety of creative activity and events including poetry writing, placard making, movement and storytelling workshops and LGBTQ+ theatre and activities at Shakespeare North Playhouse.
Highlights include Cock by Mike Bartlett (2pm & 7:30pm, Cockpit Theatre), and Shakespeare’s Sister Sister, an evening of cabaret and comedy headlined by RuPaul’s Drag Race star Sister Sister (7:30pm, Studio).
Audiences can also experience To Be and To Be: Queer Lives on Stage (11:30am & 4:30pm), a compelling heritage tour tracing queer theatrical history from Shakespearean times to modern Merseyside. The venue will also host the powerful AIDS Memorial Quilts, on display in Knowsley for the first time.
Lisa Allen, Chief Executive of the Shakespeare North Playhouse added:
“Pride is such an important moment for our community to come together. Celebrating, reflecting, and showing up for one another. We’re so excited to host an incredible line-up of performances and activities that shine the spotlight on LGBTQ+ stories and voices- including the fabulous Sister Sister from BBC’s Drag Race UK!
We’re throwing open the doors and inviting everyone, of all ages, to join in, get creative, and feel at home in Prescot. At Shakespeare North, we’re proud to be a space where everyone’s voice matters, and we can’t wait to celebrate all of these stories with you.”
Full details of the events and activities on offer in Prescot and across the borough will be shared nearer the time on www.knowsleynews.co.uk, www.sahir.org.uk and https://shakespearenorthplayhouse.co.uk/
Cllr Graham Morgan, Leader of Knowsley Council commented:
“I am absolutely delighted that Knowsley’s Pride celebrations this year have been expanded and I really hope that the range of activities on offer will help to attract more people to get involved.
“Pride is a wonderful celebration of diversity and community spirit and aligns perfectly with the principles of Knowsley Better Together. I am sure that this is something the whole community will want to support – ensuring we create a Knowsley Pride Festival to be proud of.”
Racheal Jones, Chief Executive of One Knowsley added:
“Last year’s Pride was such a fantastic event and I am absolutely delighted that through collaborative working this year, the event can be expanded beyond Court Hey Park. The widening of the offer and activities will ensure even more people can come along, get involved and be part of these wonderfully inclusive celebrations.”
From Monday 14 July a programme of Pride related events will take place throughout the week in various venues across the borough – enabled by funding through the legacy of Michael Causer, One Knowsley. Celebrations will culminate on 19 July with events in Court Hey Park and Prescot in a full day of activities and entertainment on 19 July.
Knowsley Pride in 2025 will be delivered thanks to the support of a range of partners including One Knowsley, Sahir, Shakespeare North Playhouse and Knowsley Council.
In its first year in 2024, Knowsley Pride attracted more than 3,000 people.
