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Pride organiser devastated replacement sign burnt

Alex PopeNorthamptonshire
Lisa Matthewman A colourful Pride banner, in front of a bush, that has about eight burnt holes in it. There is a path in front. It is promoting a Pride event. Lisa Matthewman
Sapphire Matthewman said the second banner for Rushden Pride was vandalised and had now been removed by her team of helpers

The organiser of a town's Pride event says she is devastated after a new banner that had been put up to replace one that had been "maliciously" taken down had been vandalised.

Sapphire Matthewman, 34, from Rushden Pride, said the first sign for the event at The Welcome Inn was removed on 25 May.

A bigger one was made, after a donation from local drag queen Traya Buns, but it was then set on fire.

She said she was too upset to get a third one made as it was created for an event "to promote love and inclusivity and not hatred".

The festival takes place on 19, 20 and 21 June.

Matthewman said the first reusable banner cost about £45 and was placed at Washbrook Road, by Asda.

"We had permission from North Northamptonshire Council to put it up.

"We think it was taken down maliciously, it was heartbreaking, I was devastated when I drove past and saw it was no longer there."

Rushden Pride Three women, all leaning on a Pride banner, by railings. They are all smiling and looking at the camera. The woman on the left has sunglasses on and a white T-shirt, the woman in the middle, long hair, tied up and wearing a cream jacket, and the woman to the right has pink hair, is wearing a purple jacket, black top and black leggings. Bushes are behind them. Rushden Pride
Sapphire Matthewman, with her friend Natalie Betts (middle) and mother, before the old banner disappeared

The group decided the £135 replacement should be bigger and bolder and parts of the community quickly rallied to help.

Rushden Graphics created it, Wilco Motor Spares donated metal cable ties, to secure it, and Rushden Town Council gave them a new spot on Bedford Road by the rugby club.

"We wanted to make a statement that they're not going to get us down," she said.

Rushden Pride Sapphire Matthewman with Traya Buns, they are both looking at the camera. Sapphire has a nose ring in, and long blonde hair, Traya, has on heavy makeup, a red headdress, red sequinned top and large earrings. A person in a red and white dress is behind them but you can only see half of her side. They are standing by a brick wall.Rushden Pride
Local Drag Queen Traya Buns paid for the new banner, Sapphire Matthewman said

When she found out about the second incident she said her heart broke "again".

"It's devastating to know that someone would destroy something that everyone chipped in to purchase.

"It's disheartening and shows exactly why we need Pride events."

She hopes something good will come "out of something bad" and wants to concentrate on growing the event that attracted about 400 people last year.

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