On the weekend closest to the late Jo Cox’s birthday – 24-26 June 2022 – ordinary people up and down the UK will unite their communities with Great Get Together events. This could be showing support for refugees, looking after your local park, or getting to know each other through crafting or gardening. When communities come together, Jo’s words – “We have more in common than that which divides us” – come to life.
On Sunday 26th June, between 1.30-5pm, Tunbridge Wells Friends of the Earth are organising a “Plastic-free Picnic in the Park” in Calverley Grounds. This year, Friends of the Earth are encouraging residents to embrace the idea of ‘welcome‘ as part of their Great Get Together celebrations. At the plastic free picnic, people from all ages and different cultures and backgrounds are being encouraged to bring pre-prepared food and share their dishes.
In addition to the communal picnic, there will be a number of activities during the afternoon and people are welcome to also organise their own outdoor activities, such as:
- Acoustic music and singing – local instrumentalists and choirs will be on hand to lead a sing-along of well-known popular songs from traditional and folk to pop and rock (song sheets will be provided)
- An African drum workshop, sponsored by Cohesion Plus
- Professional face painting (for all ages!)
- A community plants and seeds swap shop, focusing on vegetables, herbs, and garden flowers
- Poetry reading and storytelling, together with dance and drama sessions for picnickers to observe or join in
- Yoga sessions
- plants and seeds swap
- Children’s activities such as rounders, badminton, face-painting, and picture painting
- Art: supplies are provided and everyone is invited to engage in painting and drawing
Everyone is welcome to take part in each of these events and to celebrate our wonderful community.
