The Great Get Together, which was inspired by the displays of unity and shared grief which followed Jo’s murder in June 2016, saw communities up and down the country come together for family fun days at pubs, street parties, community picnics and coffee mornings.
Many events were held in Batley and Spen, the constituency Jo served and loved.
The Friends of Mirfield Library held their annual Great Get Together event on Friday, with conversations being held over delicious cake.
The town of Heckmondwike was then brought together on Saturday with people able to enjoy live music, market stalls and food, while a Great Picnic was held in the Garden of Rest in Oakenshaw where people could have refreshments and a chat.
Olivia Field, Chief Executive of The Jo Cox Foundation: “We are absolutely thrilled by the incredible turnout for this Great Get Together weekend - it’s living, breathing proof of Jo Cox’s belief that ‘we have far more in common than that which divides us’.
“Looking at communities gathering in West Yorkshire and all over the country, sharing food, music, and laughter, should fill all of us with immense hope.
“These in-person opportunities bringing communities together matter; social connection is not a ‘nice-to-have’ but the bedrock of a healthy, happy, resilient society, and fundamental to our democracy.
“We are so grateful to every organiser and volunteer who helped prove that the desire to connect is still fiercely alive.”
On Sunday, the New Pack Horse pub in Cleckheaton held a family fun day which included live music, a bouncy castle and face painting.
Bradley Mitchell, who runs the pub with his wife Sarah, told the Reporter Series:
“It was a massive team effort and all the staff worked really hard. It’s a local community pub where people want to come and enjoy themselves. From 12pm to 8pm, families and people came and they all left happy. Everybody had a great day.
“We have had a couple of family fun days and they have been our most successful ones. It’s about getting people to meet each other and to talk to each other. People are coming in more regularly because they are getting used to everyone.
“We are catering for the local community and giving them what they want, which is a local pub they like coming to, is clean, and is safe for the kids.”
Take a look at these photos from the New Pack Horse Great Get Together event, courtesy of Gerard Binks, as well as some snaps from other events across North Kirklees thanks to Kim Leadbeater MP Facebook page.
5. Great Get Together
New Pack Horse staff Donna Kendall and Andy Lloyd serving food. Photo: Gerard Binks
8. Great Get Together
The Great Picnic was held in the Garden of Rest in Oakenshaw where people could have refreshments and a chat. Photo: Kim Leadbeater MP Facebook Page