Holmfirth Pride brings town together after homophobic attack

A town has held its first Pride event in response to a homophobic attack on a man as he was leaving a pub.

Holmfirth Pride 2025 took place on Saturday and Sunday after being organised by residents Hilary Bowyer and Isobel Heely.

The festival included activities such as a rainbow scavenger hunt, drag bingo, and an exhibition of queer art featuring local artists.

Business owner Ms Heely, said the event was organised after a man in his 20s was attacked by five men outside The Old Bridge on Norridge Bottom on 12 April.

She said: “As a close-knit community, we were all horrified when we heard about the incident and did not want anybody to feel like we were not supportive.

“We did not want people to think that this is the sort of thing that happens here and we wanted to show it does not represent us as a community.

“All of the 65 businesses in the town have got bunting up and people are leaving their mark in the streets with chalk to show that there is acceptance and we are welcoming to all.”

Ms Heely added the positive response to the event had “had me in tears” as it had shown how the “community has really rallied together”.

She said: “It has been heartwarming to see such a positive response to something negative.

“We’ve had six weeks to pull the project together to make sure it was ready for Pride month and were lucky to get funding from the parish council and Kirklees Council.

“The response has been so great that we’re planning to hold the event again next year.

“We just want to send a message that everybody belongs and we will not tolerate hate.”

The attack left the victim with facial injuries after being punched and kicked by the group, who had also made offensive slurs to the victim and his partner, and was investigated as a hate crime by West Yorkshire Police.