Thousands join virtual get together in memory of Jo Cox

THEY MAY not have been able to ‘‘get together’’ as they have previously, but ingenuity and creativity led to thousands of people making connections and remembering murdered MP Jo Cox at the weekend.

The annual Great Get Together looked a little different this year, with Zoom calls and social distancing replacing the usual community parties, and a virtual ‘‘Run for Jo’’ instead of the usual run at Oakwell Hall, in Birstall.

Events included an impromptu wedding to replace one that had been cancelled and an artistic reimagining of Scarborough Fair.

Leeds-born Mike Lomas had been due to wed bride-to-be Alicia Evans – so members of their community in Llantwit Major in the Vale of Glamorgan held their own special ceremony.

Writers, poets, model makers and performers all contributed to a re-imagined Scarborough Fair, with three days of creative competitions and £1,000 worth of prizes for the winners.

More than a thousand people took part in the ‘‘Run for Jo’’, including Mrs Cox’s parents, Gordon and Jean Leadbeater, and her sister Kim, who took to the streets in her former constituency.

Ms Leadbeater said: “It has been inspirational and heart warming for me to see so many people across the country coming together ‘virtually’ to celebrate the power of community and remember Jo’s message that we have ‘more in common than that which divides us.’

“We have shown that, whilst there are still important challenges to overcome, there is also a huge amount to be proud of in our communities. And despite being deeply saddened by the horrific attack in Reading on Saturday I, along with many, many others remain resolute that we will not allow ourselves to be divided.”