Words of Pride: Gemma Rolls-Bentley is among the artists who have contributed to GTR’s project, with installations on stations, including East Croydon

Brighton Pride, the country’s largest Pride event, is a week away and Govia Thameslink Railway – which runs train services in and out of Brighton – has unveiled “Words of Pride” at stations, including East Croydon, for people to enjoy as they travel to the south coast.

The rail operator is urging people to plan their journeys ahead of time. GTR has worked closely with Pride organisers and Brighton and Hove City Council, and has confirmed it will be running what it calls “an enhanced service”, with extra trains and increased capacity.

More information is below, and can be found on the Southern and Thameslink websites.

GTR has teamed up with writers, performers and artists from the LGBTQ+ community to share what Pride means to them, why Pride exists and what people are still fighting for.

As well as at East Croydon, “Words of Pride” are now on display at Blackfriars, Gatwick Airport and Brighton stations.

Chris Fowler, Head of Network Operations at Govia Thameslink Railway, said: “Brighton Pride is the biggest event on our network, and the atmosphere it creates in the city each year is fantastic.

“With so many people making the journey from London down to Brighton, showcasing voices from the LGBTQ+ community to a wider audience will help educate and raise awareness of the reasons why Pride exists. We hope people enjoy reading Words of Pride on their journeys and have a fabulous time at the event.”

GTR’s ‘Words of Pride’ are available until Monday 5 August.

Travel information for Brighton Pride

• On the Brighton Main Line on Saturday August 3, all Thameslink services between London Bridge and Brighton will be operated by 12 carriage trains
• This will be the same for all Gatwick Express services running between London Victoria and Brighton
• Additional trains will run on Saturday evening on the Brighton Main Line
• On the West Coastway, services that would normally run between Brighton, Portsmouth and Southampton will instead terminate at Chichester. The revised service will help to focus capacity on areas where demand will be greatest. Those wishing to travel to Portsmouth and Southampton will be able to change at Barnham or Chichester for onward connections
• On the East Coastway, many services will be running with additional carriages throughout the day to boost capacity in and out of Brighton
• On Sunday August 4, a regular timetable will be in place, however there will be a number of trains with extra carriages to help those travelling to and from Pride

Inside Croydon – If you want real journalism, delivering real news, from a publication that is actually based in the borough, please consider paying for it. Sign up today: click here for more details

• If you have a news story about life in or around Croydon, or want to publicise your residents’ association or business, or if you have a local event to promote, please email us with full details at inside.croydon@btinternet.com

• As featured on Google News Showcase

• We offer FREE ads to community groups when they have members who are paid subscribers to Inside Croydon

• Our comments section on every report provides all readers with an immediate “right of reply” on all our content. Our comments policy can be read by clicking here

• Inside Croydon is a member of the Independent Community News Network

• Inside Croydon works together with the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, as well as BBC London News and ITV London

• ROTTEN BOROUGH AWARDS: In January 2024, Croydon was named among the country’s rottenest boroughs for a SEVENTH successive year in the annual round-up of civic cock-ups in Private Eye magazine