“Thank you, Chester Pride” – a personal tribute as popular Pride host and volunteer steps down

As Chester Pride gets set to return to the city on Saturday, 19 August, committee member and host, Matt Poynton pens a moving tribute about just what it means to him and to so many others. It’s all the more poignant as he steps down from his role with the charity after being there right from the very start.

Chester Pride has been a prominent fixture in Chester’s vibrant events calendar for almost a decade.

From its first event outside of Chester town hall, it was quickly understood that a bigger space was needed due to an unexpected yet promising number of people attending. After a transitional year in Grosvenor Park, Pride found its forever home in Castle Square.

I have had the privilege of being involved in almost every event, for a short period as a member of the committee, but more prominently as a host on the main stage.

With sadness, I announce I am stepping down as host after what has been a life-changing nine years. I will eternally be grateful for the opportunities and personal development I have been able to achieve during my time with Pride.

I was originally asked to be part of the Chester Pride hosting team alongside my good friend and radio broadcasting partner Rebecca Chesters, whom I hosted an LGBTQ+ topical program with. I remember feeling immense excitement about being approached to be part of the team.

I remember that first pride like it was only yesterday mainly because it was a very warm day and I decided to wear a tweed jacket. I remember the excitement and nerves myself and Rebecca had moments before we went on stage, and Rebecca telling me off because I kept wandering off.

Once we went on stage our nerves disappeared and the time flew past so quickly. I could never think of anyone I would have wanted to share that first Chester Pride experience with more.

It’s no secret that Chester Pride puts on an amazing event every year, but what Chester Pride has done and continues to do transcends throwing a big party. After joining the committee, I had an insightful first-hand view of not only the hard work that goes into organising an event of that size but also of all the incredible things that Chester Pride does for the LGBTQ+ community outside of the event itself. One of my proudest moments whilst being part of Pride must be working alongside the Proud Trust to help re-establish an LGBTQ+ youth service in Chester.

I’ve had the privilege of meeting so many interesting people during my time with Pride – celebrities, politicians and activists, but none of them compare to the amazing people I have met in the crowds, who continue to support Pride year after year. I’ve seen literal children grow to become 100 per cent their right authentic selves.

One individual I spoke to many years ago attended their first Pride alone because they found it hard to make friends. Fast forward a few years and they now attend with the friends they made at their first pride.

Pride in general continues to be so important for the LGBTQ+ community, especially for young people who need a safe space to explore and express themselves.

When I look back to who I was when I first became involved with Chester Pride, I can’t help but not recognise that person. Admittedly, I was a slightly strange shy individual, however Chester Pride has helped shape the person I’ve become – a slightly strange outspoken individual!

Pride has given me an abundance of confidence that I have been able to use to gain opportunities that may otherwise not have been presented to me like receiving a degree (still unsure how that happened).

Chester Pride was a big event for my family, especially my mum Gillian who, every year I hosted, would be stood front and centre of the crowd cheering me on. Even through illness, my mum would attend. Her highlight every year was to stand in front of protesters shouting profanities as the parade went past.

I’m so grateful to have those memories with my mum. When she passed away, I didn’t think I could attend Pride, however last year for the last time I stood on stage in her memory.

I am so grateful for all the opportunities I’ve been given but, more importantly, I’m so thankful for the people I have been able to learn and gain knowledge from, particularly from a very popular gentleman called Mike Sulivan, the former landlord of the Liverpool Arms and a founder member of Chester Pride, who sadly passed away, and the current landlady of the Liverpool Arms, Sandra Tyrie, who both shared an immense passion for our community.

The stories of days gone by will stay with me forever. I’m also extremely thankful that I can say I have made some lifelong friends during my time with Chester Pride. One of them is one of the many faces of Pride that you probably will never see but is part of the backbone of the organisation – Laura Gilhooley.

Then there is a face that is seen every year and has become one of the highlights for many on the main stage, in my opinion, one of the greatest drag artists and performers in the world – the outrageous drag queen, Shagger, who is the epitome of professionalism.

I have had several hosts over the years since Rebecca stepped down, however, I must admit that there is one with whom I naturally gelled and who gave me an extra dose of confidence on stage. I will forever be grateful to Sam Linford-Platt for her constant encouragement and calming presence, it is an honour to be able to call my last co-host.

The Chester Pride team headed by the amazingly talented and hard-working Warren Allmark works tirelessly every year to ensure the LQBTQ+ community in our amazing and diverse city of Chester is represented with pride. The growth of the last decade has been amazing to witness and be part of and I cannot wait to see how Chester Pride evolves moving into the future.

Chester Pride 2023 takes place on Saturday, 19 August at Castle Square. For more information and to get tickets, visit www.chesterpride.com.