Getting together to remember Jo Cox MP

IN memory of murdered MP Jo Cox, communities across Stratford district became one and held Great Get Together events as a show of unity and celebration of her life.

One such event was held at a Barn Service at Chesterton Fields Farm in south Warwickshire which drew a record crowd of around 150 people from many faiths and backgrounds.

The service, part of the nation-wide Great Get Together, designed to unite communities in memory of murdered MP Jo Cox, featured singing and readings from talented youngsters from Moreton Morrell School plus local choirs, the popular ukulele group The Ukuladies, representatives of rural charities and Warwickshire Police.

It was also Fathers’ Day and there was a display of family pictures drawn by Moreton Morrell children.

The Bishop of Coventry gave a thought-provoking address during the informal family service which was followed by drinks, home-made cakes and the chance to meet up with people from throughout the area to admire the farm’s prize-winning Knightcote herd of South Devon cattle.

Organiser John Moverley was delighted with the turnout and the friendly, supportive atmosphere: “Since Jo Cox was murdered, there’ve been far too many other atrocities and tragic loss,” he said, “so it’s been uplifting to see communities coming together, putting aside differences, not looking back in anger but offering love and help to neighbours.”

The collection raised on the day was £400 for RABI, the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution which supports those in need in rural communities.

For a round-up of Great Get Together parties in Stratford district, see this week’s Herald.