On a bright and sunny morning (sadly this did not last) many merry Yorkies arrived to help set up for York Pride.

Our first task was to assemble many big pretty rainbow flags, and the all important bar flags, and to put out litter bins.

We then set off into the site to help anyone who needed us with setting up stalls. This mainly involved erecting mostly instruction-less gazebos of a variety of designs and qualities. Ed was christened Mr Erector for his ability to help you with all your erection needs. And when almost defeated by a lost poppy-out-wire-thingy (I know all the lingo) Leanne came to the rescue with her newly discovered bent-tent-peg wire-thingy fishing skills.

A few keenies ducked out for a quick parkrun at this point, when all erection complete we got given a very exciting new task "only for strong people with good backs". This was to move four (unused) portaloos into new locations. First "the Chlamydia toilet" (thankfully not a horrible nickname, but the disabled toilet to be used for free testing later), which was rather heavy but did have nice comfy handles. Then another disabled loo and one for HQ. And finally the most exciting of all - the toilet for GG himself (Gareth Gates) - the backstage celeb loo! Leanne and I were so excited we even took a selfie inside it.

At this point, Ed returned saying "oh we thought you guys had gone already, we're off for breakfast". Not so fast! Still plenty of good to be done, and many hands make quicker to the cafe for all!

After assembling the "dressing room" (gazebo, eventually with no windows (sorry GG fans)), and putting binbags into the bins - and in Mitch's case picking up rubbish thrown next to the bin with a casual "sorry" - we headed out for a well earned breakfast before it well and truly rained on our parade.

An intrepid team of Goodgym Yorkies braved the awful weather to help marshal at the York Pride Parade

Ed, Babs and Nick were on big screen duty, Hayden and Angela were giving the role of looking after the fire engine whilst everyone else (possibly the more responsible of the team) was given general crowd duties

The afternoon started off well enough with music, flags, sweets and TV weathermen, but it wasn't long before the heavens opened and the plastic ponchos made an appearance.

The parade made its way around the streets of York, through the crowds and past a good turn out of much dryer Goodgymers (who definitely could have offered us some towels at the very least).

We eventually regrouped at the kanevesmire to compare our hauls of Pride freebies and share soggy stories. And despite the rain the parade was a huge success almost entirely thanks to the excellent marshalling skills of Goodgym York!