A Darwen company is sponsoring Blackburn’s first ever official Pride festival with an enclosure designed by their resident artist.
Named the ‘Pride Confetti Enclosure,’ it is the first enclosure donated to Blackburn Pride and is located in Cathedral Square opposite the Adelphi pub.
The idea came from Ritherdon's Office Sales and Marketing Manager Daniela Romano, 47, after her "inspiring" visit to Manchester’s Pride event with her two daughters last year.
Ritherdon’s resident artist Nicola Ellis, who was also involved in the Festival of Making last weekend, designed the colourful and creative cabinet using the company’s materials and products.
Often painted a plain, boring colour to blend into the street-scene, enclosure boxes house electrics and phone lines, but this box brings a splash of colour in-keeping with the colourful traditions of Pride.
Daniela said: “The Pride Confetti Enclosure does highlight what Ritherdon can do in our Paint Shop, however it stands for much more than that.
“We see it as the first step in raising awareness for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion up and down the country with other local councils and communities.
“We are all the same but different. That's want makes us wonderful, so let's all celebrate that! Donating the enclosure is just our way of showing what Ritherdon are doing as individuals and employers.”
The company aims to welcome people from all backgrounds and identities by taking part in courses in Blackburn.
Its Managing Director Ben Ritherdon recently did a course with on equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Daniela continued: “It’s something we’re working hard to develop and grow with and figuring out how to put that into something tangible before we recruit.”
The company have been working with Councillor Jim Shorrock, Chair of Blackburn Pride Committee as well as highway workers at the council who have ‘helped make this happen.’
Daniela said the council have been eager to have more enclosures scattered around the borough.
She added: “It shows that they’re willing to do more and pushing to do more. It’s a drop in the ocean but it’s a start.
“We’re delighted to have the opportunity to showcase what we can do but more importantly reach out to others and try and raise awareness more than anything.
“We just want to raise people’s spirits, we’re all human and we need to work together.”
The festival will begin on Saturday June 18, in King William Street and run throughout the day at different locations.
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