A highly anticipated event, which has grown from one person's hopes into a large-scale plan, needs more time to reach its potential.

Windsor Pride was first proposed by Steve Harris, 46, from Datchet, last October.

At the time, a cryptic message posted by Steve on a local Facebook page stated: "Did I hear a murmur that there is going to be a Windsor Pride next year?" 

Interest was sparked in the local community, with Pride events having popped up in Reading, Bracknell and surrounding towns in recent years.

Steve shared how attending a Pride event in Southampton helped them understand themselves better and hopes they can bring the "beautiful" experience to Windsor.

Fast forward five months and Steve was ready to combine his knowledge of event management with others. They made an appeal for the local community and businesses to get involved in March.

Steve said: "Originally I was scared to involve other people. I was worried about it going wrong and disappointing people.

"Now it has got to a point where I need to get support and more people involved.

"I want Windsor Pride to start big and have a legacy in years to come."

However, it soon became apparent that time and financial restraints were becoming a barrier, and summer 2024 was fast approaching.

Steve was shocked to find that portaloos alone cost between £60 to £120 a day per cubicle, with added transportation fees.

They added: "It scared me when I saw how much we need to raise to do it. We now need to raise funds with companies and sponsorships.

"The council isn't funding this."

In a meeting on Sunday, April 7, it was confirmed that Windsor Pride would now be pushed back to 2025 to allow for more time to plan the event.

Steve, alongside an eight-strong core committee, has a rough outline of the event in mind, including a celebrity lineup and procession through Windsor.

After the meeting, Steve said: "We are doing our event in 2025, not 2024. As for what needs doing, there is not enough time."

The group is applying to be a community interest group, which they believe will help plans along, with a goal of Windsor Pride to be held in July 2025.

Steve added: "In the meantime, we will be doing some smaller fringe events to raise awareness and funding for a few things.

"We really want to involve as much of the community, both from the LGBTQ+ side of things and also outside of that, as we need to normalise this to the community and not segregate it."

Speaking about his thoughts on the pushback, Steve said: "The fact that we now have 450 days to plan the event means we are going to have a bigger, better event. It is going to be very epic.

"I think the majority of people want this to happen. People want to be represented fairly.

"It is heartwarming to hear from people who want to get involved."

Steve has hinted that lots of local businesses want to get involved, including the train stations which hopes to decorate to mark the event.

They added that no earnings will be made by the organisers and all money will be going back into Windsor Pride to keep it alive in years to come.

A spokesperson from the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead said: "Windsor Pride is now due to take place next year and the council continues to liaise with the event organiser around their event planning and the processes for securing formal permissions."

Steve is asking anyone who wishes to be involved, including potential sponsors, caterers and businesses to reach out at steve@windsorpride.co.uk.