Manchester Pride has announced that the highly-anticipated Parade event has been cancelled for 2021.
The LGBTQ+ festival – which historically takes over the city every August Bank Holiday weekend – had its 2020 edition cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the charity confirmed earlier this year it would be going ahead next month.
The celebratory festival is due to be one of the more significant events taking place in the city centre following the lifting of lockdown restrictions earlier this week – but the announcement of the cancellation of this year’s Parade comes after organisers confirmed it held a number of COVID safety advisory group meetings yesterday.
Manchester Pride announced the Parade cancellation in a statement published to its official social media platforms this evening.
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A statement regarding this year's Manchester Pride Parade.
We understand that you may have many questions about this announcement – please get in touch with us via [email protected] and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
The statement read: “Whilst the Government announced an end to restrictions on 19 July, there were guidelines issued to support the safe delivery of large scale events [and] unfortunately, we are extremely sad to say that following this announcement and subsequent COVID safety advisory group meetings yesterday, we recognise that it is not possible for us to deliver the much-loved and anticipated Parade.”
The charity has apologised for the cancellation, but hopes attendees “understand the tough decision we had to take”, before reassuring that every other element of the festival will be “just as fabulous as expected”.
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Several other events have been announced to take place instead of the Parade, including five ‘Equality Marches’ on Saturday 28 August.
The marches will be limited to just 400 people per march, with 2,000 participating overall.
“We recognise that it is not possible for us to deliver the much-loved Parade.” / Credit: Manchester Pride
The Manchester Pride Parade is a march for equality and one of the Festival’s most highly-anticipated events.
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Thousands of people march proudly together through the streets of the city centre in front of tens of thousands of supporters and allies cheering them along the way.
2019’s Manchester Pride Parade was said to have been the “biggest and boldest yet”, with a whopping 200 organisations, over 14,000 people marching and tens of thousands spectators filling the streets with colour.
The theme for the Manchester Pride Parade 2021 was due to have been ‘Garden Of Freedom’.
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
The Manc -
21st July 2021 
