A colourful and exciting new symbol of diversity and inclusion was unveiled in Exmouth’s Manor Gardens at the weekend.

The unique rainbow bench was the result of a community project led by Exmouth Pride in conjunction with Exmouth Town Council and with support from East Devon Green Spaces and the National Lottery’s Community Fund.

Exmouth Pride promotes equality and inclusion for LGBT+ people (lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender and other minority sexual orientations and gender identities).

This bench project follows hot on the heels of the organisation's summer flag project, again in partnership with Exmouth Town Council, which has seen 17 Exmouth Pride flags flying around the town centre and along the seafront for the whole of this June – internationally seen as Pride Month.

Exmouth Pride’s Sarah Cooper said: “As with the flags, this is about visibility, which is an issue in the LGBT+ world. This is a major way of showing people who often face isolation that they are not alone."

She added: “It features the 1979 Pride flag colours and a rainbow, which is a universal symbol of hope – and we hope that people will enjoy this fantastic addition to the town in the spirit in which it was created.”

Let’s sit, think and talk about difference and acceptance, being true to ourselves and living our best lives is what the bench is about, say organisers.

The bench, designed and built by blacksmith Matt Coe of Dingle Design, Crediton, in Mid Devon, was installed at the weekend at an event which was attended by Exmouth Mayor Steve Gazzard and the chairman of Devon County Council, Exmouth councillor Jeff Trail.

The date would have seen the sixth Exmouth Pride event take place in the town, but this was cancelled because of the restrictions governing public gatherings and social distancing due to the Covid pandemic. The bench was fully ready for use by the public from Wednesday, June 23.

Plans are already in hand for a post pandemic return to the usual Exmouth Pride in the Manor Gardens in June 2022 when LGBT+ people and their families, friends and allies can mark Pride - and celebrate all that it stands for - together.