COMMUNITIES across Gloucestershire joined others from across the country in coming together under the sun at the weekend.

Hundreds of residents of Dursley, Wotton-under-Edge and Purton took part in this year’s Great Get Together - a national event organised in memory of murdered MP Jo Cox.

For many of the attendees the events provided the perfect opportunity to meet neighbours whom they may never have spoken with before.

In Purton, villagers enjoyed games and live entertainment interspersed by plenty of food and drink as they soaked in the sun on the banks of the canal on Saturday.

At the same time dozens of people met at the Chantry Centre in Dursley where they enjoyed tea, cake and pizza in the garden.

The Green in Synwell, Wotton-under-Edge was the location of choice in Wotton-under-Edge on Sunday where the gathering was so popular many of those who went suggested another get together at the end of summer.

Tim Blake, who helped organise events in Purton, said that get togethers had “become part of the fabric” of the community following another successful day.

“It was a fantastic day which was obviously helped by the weather,” he said.

“We had people from Hinton and Halmore turn up, which are very much part of our community and it was also the first real opportunity for some newer residents to meet their neighbours.

“These get togethers have become part of the fabric of our community.”
The first ideas for the next community gathering are already being considered by villagers.

In Wotton, more than 50 people of all ages met to enjoy the sun and meet fellow residents.

Catherine Braun, one of the event’s planners, said: “It was a really nice get together - helped of course by the fantastic weather. 

“We enjoyed lots of picnic food, pavlova and Pimm’s as well as tea and cake. 

“It was the first time we’ve picnicked as neighbours on the Green - and lots of people would like to do it again at the end of the summer.”

Amongst the dozens of people who attended the Dursley event was the newly-elected MP for Stroud, David Drew, who received a warm welcome from the crowds.