HISTORY will be made in a Somerset city this year as it's set to hold it's first ever Pride celebrations.

Wells will welcome members of and allies to the LGBTQIA+ community to the city this June for Wells Pride 2024.

The event is the brainchild of Wells City Councillor Georgie Robbins, who has 'always wanted' to bring Pride to the area.

"I'm one of those people that has been to loads of Prides," she explained.

"I've been to Brighton Pride, which was brilliant, but it's massive, and a few hours away.

"Some people want something a bit more intimate, especially if you're anxious and don't like big crowds."

Cllr Robbins is working in partnership with Glastonbury Pride to co-ordinate the two events to take place around the same time of year, and share resources across the two.

Last year, Glastonbury's Lavender Vespers group who played a heavy role in Glastonbury Pride used a huge pride flag to parade through the town and up the Tor - Cllr Robbins hopes this flag can be utilised at Wells Pride, among other resources.

“They put on such an incredible event and I thought why can’t we do that in Wells?" she said.

“A lot of queer people around here miss out on that aspect of things.”

Wells Pride 2024 will be held in and around the re-opened Bishop's Barn building, and queer musicians are already booked in to be performing live music on the bandstand, as well as performances from local group Portway Music School.

Attendants to the event can also expect a range of stalls from queer-run business owners, as well as entertaining drag acts, and expressive art opportunities such as canvases to paint on.

Cllr Robbins wants the event to be interactive, and hopes to encourage activities such as picking up a guitar and joining in with the live music.

For more information, or to ask questions, contact Georgie Robbins on g.robbins@wells.gov.uk.

The future Mayor of Wells, Jasmine Browne, is set to officially open the event.

Since announcing the event on Facebook on January 1, Cllr Robbins has been 'overwhelmed' by the positive response from locals.

“I’ve had people message me saying I’ve recently came out and I’m really looking forward to it," she explained.

“I wasn’t expecting it to take off so much.

"I hope it gives queer people a sense of belonging here in Wells."

She hopes the event will encourage the formation of more local queer community groups in Wells, and encourages anyone who wants to be involved or find out more to get in touch.