Folkestone Pride (Didier Rochard, Helen Davison & Ethan Sheppard)

Didier Rochard and Helen Davison have played a key role in the development of Folkestone Pride Festival, a town wide festival, parade and annual events programme for LGBTQ+ people in Folkestone and the surrounding area, while Ethan Sheppard has contributed to events and delivered exhibitions.

Didier joined as a voluntary lead organiser in 2019 and became a voluntary Co-Director in 2020-21. Working with the Folkestone Pride Community Group and leadership team, including Helen Davison, Didier was instrumental in coordinating a town-wide festival involving local artists, venues, businesses, politicians and campaign groups. The 2019 Pride Day was attended by over 1,000 people and supported by the Mayor Of Folkestone and District Council. As well as daytime activities and a parade through the town, Didier also co-curated the official evening party event, headlined by DJ Joe Goddard (Hot Chip).

The annual Folkestone Pride Events Programme coordinated by Didier has included fundraising activities such as parties, quizzes, karaoke nights, barn dances and gigs, as well as an LGBTQ+ Film Festival with the town’s biggest venue Leas Cliff Hall and an arts festival in the town’s Creative Quarter. These have been accompanied by outreach and community events, such as talks and workshops in association with venues such as Folkestone Museum, Folkestone Library and Folkestone Wellbeing Centre.

As well as events, Didier has also been involved in fundraising, marketing and bid writing to further the impact of the organisation.

Folkestone Pride has continued to expand each year, with Helen Davison continuing and further developing this festival in the years since Didier’s involvement.