Congleton Pride Trust held its Annual General Meeting on 25th October at which it elected a new Committee to take it into its fifth year.
At a well-attended AGM in Congleton Town Hall, the Pride Committee presented the previous 12 months’ activities, including the successful annual Pride event in July, when thousands of people flocked to Congleton’s town centre, and numerous social events.
This year saw a number of new business sponsors for Pride with a successful Sponsors’ Evening and Millie’s Vets appointed as the Lead Sponsor.
The Congleton Pride June survey results were presented, showing a shift in attitudes from two years ago, with almost 90 per cent of LGBTQIA+ respondents now reporting being ‘OK’ or ‘Comfortable’ living in Congleton – up from 55%.
Also during the year, the Pride team launched a new website at www.congletonpride.co.uk which includes information about all the colours of the Pride rainbow, with signposts to sources of support and advice.
As a growing organisation, the Trust is developing more governance, with new and updated policies for Safeguarding, Equality & Respect, Privacy and Social Media having been developed during the year.
Accounts were presented at the meeting and Trustees have appointed DBBK Accountants to manage the financial reporting going forward. Full accounts will be published shortly on the Congleton Pride website.
The AGM voted for the new Congleton Pride Committee including Malcolm Pope as Chair, Chris Froggatt as Vice-Chair, Steph Calder as Secretary and Richard Walton as Treasurer.
The members then held a secret ballot to select the Congleton Pride Volunteer of the Year, which was awarded to Gordon Self. The meeting heard how Gordon, a well-known Pride volunteer on the day, also works long hours behind-the-scenes on creative and social media assets to support all Pride events, as well as developing the new website including design, technology and much of the content. Gordon will now be invited as an Guest of Honour to the annual Celebration of Cheshire Prides event.
Outgoing Chair Ronan Clayton was voted to receive the lifetime role of Congleton Pride Founder & Spokesperson. He congratulated the new Chair, saying “I look forward to working with the Congleton Pride team with my new responsibilities, and role within the group. I’d like to thank all who have supported me both in the Pride Committee, and members of the public. And please welcome your new Chair, Malcolm, who will smash this role.”
Malcom Pope responded “Congratulations to Ronan, his new role is to continue to be the conscience and heart of Congleton Pride. Ronan deserves all of our thanks and respect for being that spark that created and nurtured Congleton Pride.
“I thank all members of Congleton Pride for their support. We now need to build on our legacy of success. I will work hard to ensure that the organisation continues to prosper.”
Congleton Pride is now re-structuring as Charitable Incorporated Organisation and will be audited by the Charities Commission. The Committee hopes this will allow the team to access other funding and launch ambitious new projects to support the community.
Readers can get in touch with Congleton Pride on Facebook – @CongletonPride or email hello@congletonpride.co.uk
