AROUND 50 York residents gathered in Homestead Park on Saturday for a community picnic in memory of Jo Cox.

On a beautiful sunny day, people came together to celebrate the life of the MP and her belief that we all have more in common with each other than things that divide us.

More than 120,000 events under the banner of The Great Get Together were organised nationally and several took place in and around York to commemorate the first anniversary of the murdered MP’s death.

Mrs Cox, the MP for Batley and Spen, in West Yorkshire, was murdered in her constituency by the far right fanatic Thomas Mair.

In Clifton, a community picnic was held in Homestead Park. Residents opened their picnic baskets and their hearts, sharing food and their time, getting to know their neighbours and enjoying the glorious weather and stunning gardens together.

Organiser Anna Perrett said: “It was so inspiring to see people coming together, and after so many recent tragedies that have happened nationally, many people who attended told me that events like The Great Get Together are more necessary than ever to let people know that the local community is here to support those in need.”

A total of £44.08 was donated to the Jo Cox Foundation by those attending and the staff at Homestead Park raised money to support the development of the gardens through a plant sale held to coincide with the event.

Politicians from across the political spectrum showed their support, with Rachael Maskell, MP for York Central, attending along with Cllr Margaret Wells, who represents City of York Council’s Clifton ward and Cllr Stuart Rawlings of Rawcliffe and Clifton Without ward. A similar event also took place in Heworth’s Glen Gardens. The family-friendly day involved tea, coffee and cake, as well as families bringing their own picnics.