The history of Pride in Reading was presented at a popular networking event as members and supporters celebrate their 20th anniversary as an organisation. 

The First Friday Club networking events are held on the first Friday of each month for businesspeople to socialise, build contacts and enjoy great food and drink. 

The events involve a speech from members of the town's business and organisation community, with prizes to be won and opportunities to share information and experiences. 

The keynote speaker for August's First Friday Club was Tom Price, the chief engagement officer of Reading Pride, who spoke about the history of the organisation and the Pride parades that take place each year in the town centre. 

The Reading Pride organisation was founded in 2003, to advocate for the rights of LGBT+ people, with members and supporters celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. 

The town's first Pride parade took place in 2004, the 18th parade after cancellation in 2020. 

The event involves a parade around the town centre starting at 11am, and a festival in King's Meadow which runs from 12pm to 7.30pm on Saturday, September 2. 

Mr Price said: "There were 3,000 people in the parade last year. 

"It starts at Reading station, if there are any businesses that are in the town centre, come out, wave your flags, get involved, we would love that. 

"Last year, at the festival site, we had approximately 12,000 people 'through the doors', so it is the second largest festival in Reading now." 

Although Reading Pride is free, participants in the parade are asked to register for insurance purposes, and guests can pay £25 with a £2 booking fee to get into the PridePlus VIP area. 

Mr Price spoke about the event at the First Friday Club which is hosted at rotating venues.

This time, the club took place at Veeno and was hosted by BBC Radio Berkshire commentator Ady Williams. 

Andre Fashanu, a general manager for Veeno, mentioned the restaurant's live music events each Wednesday. 

Liz Primrose from High Spirits Cocktails announced that the bar will be celebrating its second birthday on Saturday, August 12. 

Attendees won prizes from Veeno and High Spirits at the Club. 

Amongst the guests were Jo Pender from Wilderness Expertise Expedition company, David West from Walk Reading walking tours, Terry Dixon of Terry's Reading Walkabouts and Sean Whelan from Electric Hair Salon.