Oxford's Covered Market prepares for Pride celebrations

Creative business owners have got into the spirit of the festivities with Jessie Thomaz, owner of the Woolhound, creating a special post-box topper featuring a knitted rainbow. 

The Oxford Pride festival will take place on Saturday, June 8, and bring the community together with music, fun, food and dancing through the city centre. 

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Ms Thomaz creates all the toppers that decorate the Covered Market post-box, using her skills from running her first ever business nearby which specialises in everything wool. 

Woolhound has been serving the local crafter community since 2021 and has been soon popular in the market that it has moved twice - each time to a bigger premises. 

Artwork in the Covered Market for Pride (Image: Supplied) They weren't the only company getting involved to support the LGBTQIA+ community - with the family-owned sock store Soctopus displaying a rainbow with each row made of bright colourful socks. 

They also have socks displaying pride flags and slogans "I love drag", and "glad to be gay". 

Long-serving Covered Market butchers David John had a rainbow artwork on display by Emily Juliet Stevens - depicting an ox in front of a rainbow flag. 

But it was not just about the decorations. 

Ms Thomaz's business, in addition to selling British wool and wool from local independent dyers, also serves as a "safe space" for anyone needing to talk, relax or to "be yourself". 

The business runs in-house events for anyone looking to learn how to knit or crochet, brush up on existing skills, or meet other creatives, and will host their yarn swap this week at the Jolly Farmers.

Pride decorations in the Covered Market are (Image: Supplied)

They also run classes and two "social stitches" a week. 

Ms Thomaz said: "If you need a safe space, a quiet space, a space to be yourself, or someone to talk to, we're here."

The Oxford Pride events will feature a parade through town, as well as three live stages across the central part of the city including an accessible viewing area in the Castle Quarter and Paradise Square Gardens with live acts set to be broadcast on a big screen. 

There will be also be fun events like a dog show parade including 'waggiest tail', 'prettiest puppy' and 'sassiest senior'.

Oxford Pride is a registered charity run by a dedicated team of volunteers with membership open to all.

The organisation runs events and collaborate with other organisations throughout the year with the aim to "create safe, diverse and inclusive spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community where everyone feels respected and welcome".