A giant Pride flag wrapped around Totnes Castle has attracted national attention after an MP described the display as “wildly naff” and “generally vomit-inducing”.
The 150-metre flag was unfurled around the historic castle on Saturday, September 26, as part of the return of Totnes Pride following a three-year hiatus.
Around 400 people gathered in the castle grounds to watch 30 flag bearers unfurl the flag at about 10:45.
The display, which organisers described as a piece of public art, was backed by English Heritage and the flag was loaned by Torbay Pride.
But the image of the castle draped in rainbow colours subsequently spread online, attracting attention well beyond Totnes.
Rupert Lowe MP, founder and leader of the far-right political party Restore Britain, responded on social media on September 27.
He shared the Totnes Pride image and wrote: “Totnes. Devon. It is not 'homophobic' to label this as wildly naff and generally vomit-inducing.
.Mr Lowe has been approached for comment, but despite the notable attention, local feedback has been almost entirely positive
Totnes Pride facilitator Pulama Kaufman said the decision to adorn the castle was intended to create a highly visible, temporary, moment for the town.
She said: “We wanted to send a message to Totnes, and beyond, that queer people have always been here and always will be.”
In response to Mr Lowe’s online comments, Kaufman said the LGBTQ+ people who facilitated and attended the event, and “consider themselves sensible”, thought the event was wonderful.
Kaufman said Totnes’ reputation as a centre for arts and culture had also influenced the decision.
“We wanted our Pride festival to reflect that with its own unique and audacious moment of public art,” she said.
She added that organisers were now faced with the question of “how on earth to top that next year”.
According to Totnes Pride, there have been no complaints from attendees or residents about the castle event.
Kaufman said the response locally had been “overwhelmingly positive”, with negative reaction appearing to have come primarily from online commenters outside Totnes.
“We've been surprised that some national papers have reported ‘fury from residents’ as we have not come across any,” she said.
“Negative quotes published by the same papers seem to be lifted from online comments from non-Totnes residents.”
The Totnes Times analysed feedback on its own social media pages and found some concerns were raised by legitimate locals, but the mast majority of negative comments were posted by online trolls - some as far afield as Poland.
One visitor, who attended several events over the four-day festival, praised Totnes Pride for their programme.
Ami Jo Lee wrote: “Absolutely thrilled with the incredible programme of events that they've lined up this year.
“Brilliant concert [on Friday], fabulous art performance on Thursday, lovely celebration at the castle. Well done the new Totnes Pride organising team.”
The castle event was also attended by South Devon MP Caroline Voaden, who described it as a “great event”.
She said it was “so great to see Totnes buzzing with energy and fun and queer love”, adding: “Everyone deserves to be who they are, to love who they love and to live with dignity and respect.”
Organisers say more than 1,200 tickets were sold, with events ranging from art workshops and live performances to family-friendly and alcohol-free activities.
The festival also received support from local businesses and the town council, with businesses sponsoring events, displaying Pride-themed windows and taking part in activities around the town.
Kaufman said the return of Pride had “exceeded our ambitions”.
“The town was buzzing and so, so many people - queer and allies - that live in and around Totnes have told us how proud they are of what our town created,” she said.
She added that some of the negative and “truly hateful” comments directed at the festival had demonstrated why Pride remained necessary in semi-rural areas such as the South Hams.
Totnes Pride has also described the event as belonging to the wider town rather than simply its organising committee.
Fellow organiser Ceri Goddard said the group had wanted to do something “a bit different” for the festival’s return.
She said the castle was chosen to show that “queer people have always been here and we always will be”.
Goddard said English Heritage had helped organisers plan the event, including a rehearsal, despite some logistical challenges.
She said: “Totnes Pride belongs to the people of Totnes, not a small committee in a room, so let's see where it goes next year.”
The festival's return comes after a three-year gap and its organisers are now considering how to build on this year's programme.
Meanwhile, the rainbow-covered castle continues to attract attention online, with the image reaching audiences far beyond Totnes.
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