Gorey gets together in memory of inspiring MP

Sunday 24 June 2018

If you have no particular plans for midday and wonder how you could make your Sunday lunch extra special, Gorey residents are inviting you to join in their Great Gorey Get Together community picnic - inspired by one very special MP.

The group of Gorey residents first got together last year in collaboration with the 'National Great Together' - an initiative inspired by MP Jo Cox, who was killed on 16 June 2016.

In her first speech in parliament, Mrs Cox spoke of bringing communities together. She said: "We are far more united and have far more in common than what which divides us." Her family and friends came up with the initiative, which is now supporting by over 100 organisations. This year, the Great Get Together takes place between 22 and 24 June. 22 June would have been Jo’s 44th birthday. 

Jo Thorpe, one of the Gorey organisers, explained: "We had heard about the Great Get Together in the UK and felt it would be a great way of getting to know all our neighbours and reaching out to those in our community who may be lonely.

"We decided that 'more in common' statement led to using our beautiful local environment that is Gorey Common. We chose a community picnic as it was simple concept that most people could engage with. The whole idea was to knock on doors and introduce ourselves to our fellow villagers and invite them down to the picnic, in particular our older and vulnerable residents."

Pictured: Jo Cox's family and friends came up with the initiative of the Great Get Together in her memory.

While the plans for last year's Great Get Together were put in place within a couple of weeks, organisers said it was a great success, with 150 people turning up on a sunny afternoon. Ms Thorpe said: "We sourced bunting, tables and chairs for those unable to sit on the grass and a piano for one of the local residents to knock out some tunes! We stuck posters up and dropped some flyers around the village and hoped for the best.

"Pianists played for us, singer and song writers played and sang for us, children went home to get their instruments and jammed for us and we had a visit from the wonderful 'Bubble Man.' Boxes of ice lollies found their way across the road from the ice cream van. Although we had set to finish at 16:00, by 19:00 people were still singing around the piano! We baked extra cakes and made extra sandwhiches so anyone that wasn't able to bring a picnic had plenty to eat."

Pictured: Last year, people were still around the piano after 19:00, three hours after the Great Get Together was meant to finish.

This year, the team has had a little more to plan, but has decided to stick to the same concept: "A free, non commercial event that brings our community together. No charity collections or agenda other than to enjoy each others company in our beautiful island."

Many local businesses and groups will be contributing to the event. Rev Jeff Wattley, the vicar from Gouray Church, introduced the idea of a fresh produce table so anyone with a glut of strawberries, beans or jams is welcome to bring them along to share them. 

Pictured: Children were delighted to see the Bubble Man last year.

"We will once again have our sharing table of cakes and picnic bits, again if you feel the urge to bake extra please bring them along so every one has plenty," the organisers added.

"It really is a feel good, community spirited event. Everyone is welcome to join us on 25 June from 13:00 to 16:00 on Gorey Common."