A colourful party of care home residents and team members sashayed into an annual community pride parade to honour the memory of a friend who was a regular participant.
It was the fourth year in a row that Bourne Free fans who live at Colten Care’s Bournemouth care home Avon Cliff have taken part in the three-day ‘happiness for all’ festival.
Wearing rainbow colours, cool shades, floral headbands and garlands, three residents plus carers and companions joined thousands of fellow paraders making their way through the town watched by crowds of well-wishers.
On residents’ pink T-shirts was a print image showing Patrick Haddingham, a pride stalwart over several years.
In his late 80s and early 90s while living at Avon Cliff, Patrick would look forward to the chance each year to don his elegant shiny black and gold blazer and finest blue mirror sunglasses and join the parade with a group from the home.
As she took in this year’s fun, friend and fellow resident Edie Crowley smiled and said: “Patrick would’ve been so happy today. He always loved days like this.”
Elise Martin, Companionship Team Leader, said: “Residents and colleagues were proud to join the parade in memory of Patrick. The music, the dancing in the street and the cheering from the crowds lifted everyone’s spirits. It was our fourth pride, and many in our party said it felt like walking with Patrick again.”
Bournemouth’s annual Bourne Free pride parade was established by members of the LGBT community in 2004 to celebrate and promote equality and diversity.
