(image: Congleton Pride)
Congleton Pride has issued a press release expressing its disgust and disappointment that a banner promoting its event – on a billboard situated on land owned by New Life Church – has been removed.
The billboard in question is one of several around the town that is available for use by community groups, who pay an organisation called Congleton Community Projects to advertise their events.
The organisation has no formal affiliation with Congleton Town Council, however an officer from Congleton Town Council today confirmed to So Cheshire that they do work in partnership and that the council shares Congleton Pride’s disappointment that the banner has been removed.
Cllr Kay Wesley – who is chair of the town council’s community and environment committee – is quoted in the Congleton Pride statement, and said: “The town boards can be used by any community organisation to advertise their event.
“In the past the boards have advertised church events, like carol services for example, even though not everyone in the town is a Christian.”
Cllr Wesley added: “Pride is an inclusive organisation, and [Congleton Town] Council supports the Pride event both financially and practically.
“It is entirely inappropriate for one organisation to censor which community events are advertised, and which are not, regardless of the location of the billboard.”
It’s understood, however, that Congleton Community Projects makes decisions around which events can be advertised.
Its approval criteria do not appear to be publicly available, and So Cheshire was unable to contact a representative for comment.
Ronan Clayton, chair of Congleton Pride said: “When we heard the banner had come down after just 24 hours, we assumed it was the wind or maybe an act of vandalism.
“However, on visiting the site, the banner was neatly folded on the ground, and we were then informed that New Life Church had removed it.”
We spoke to Congleton New Life Church to confirm details of what had happened, however they refused to comment.
Cllr Wesley said: “I have never heard of a banner being taken down at New Life Church before, this is the first time.”
Congleton Pride trustee Richard Walton added: “We have worked hard recently with local churches to ensure that Christians who are LGBTQI+ feel safe and welcome to worship in Congleton.
“A number of church leaders have come to the table willingly and shown leadership in breaking down barriers.
“I’m delighted to report that, as a result, seven Congleton churches are sharing a stall at Congleton Pride.”
