Pride event in London Colney cancelled after banners torn down

A Pride music event in Hertfordshire has been cancelled due to safety concerns after banners have been torn down twice. The first Loud & Proud event was due to take place at Shirley's Roadhouse in London Colney on 20 June, featuring live music from Christina Aguilera, Elton John and Britney Spears tribute acts, but organisers said banners advertising it had been removed from outside the venue. Local Liberal Democrat councillor Liz Needham said: "I thought we were living in 2026 and had moved on from this kind of discrimination and was really hoping we could have a nice family-run event that would celebrate the LGBTQ+ community." Hertfordshire Police has been approached for comment. Needham has been a parish councillor since 2023, and a Hertfordshire county councillor in London Colney ward, since 2025. She said she had helped out at previous Herts Pride events in nearby Watford and had wanted to start one in the village. Needham said that five weeks ago organisers had "put up the original banners advertising the event that were then taken down". She added they had got more made, but "in the last couple of days those have also been taken down and we know they have been taken down bec