Party tribute recalls MP Jo
Community spirit
People in Stirling rallied round for The Great Get Together, inspired by the late MP Jo Cox.
The Labour MP for Batley and Spen, murdered in an attack 12 months ago, believed “we have more in common than divides us”.
Her family and friends invited people across the country to mark the first anniversary of her murder by holding a celebration in their community from June 16-18.
Jo was shot and stabbed by 52-year-old Thomas Mair just before she was due to hold a surgery in Birstall, West Yorkshire. In November Kilmarnockborn Mair was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Among those who took up the call in the Stirling area were Kings Park residents whose homes back on to Drummond Place Lane, with around 60 adults and 16 children attending.
Former First Minister Jack McConnell, now Lord McConnell, took his granddaughter May to the party.
“Jo Cox was an absolutely fabulous individual,” he said. “She was full of principle and goodness and the best kind of politician and I wanted to mark the weekend by taking part.
“These are terrible times, full of division, hatred and violence, and anything that any of us can do to try and bring communities closer together and live life by better principles is worthwhile.”
Party organiser Libby Coats said: “In 2012 we held a party to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee. It was a success and there was every good intention to hold another party but five years on that hadn’t materialised.
“I got the email from Brendan Cox, Jo Cox’s husband, encouraging people to get together for The Great Get Together.
“The emphasis on stressing what we have in common rather than what divides us really struck a chord and as a result we got together to hold our summer tea party.
“The weather was fine and everyone had a good time. It was a wonderful mixture of young and old.
“Several people remarked on how little we know our neighbours and this occasion went some way to correcting that.
“It has to be said that, although tea was imbibed, the prosecco went down a treat.”
Staff from Sainsbury’s supermarket in Stirling also took part in The Great Get Together, with customers invited to take a selfie with friends, family or neighbours to share on social media. There was a message board where shoppers could share stories of their favourite things about their community.
A store spokesperson said: “It was a great success.”