Paulton Brownies and local pensioners took part in The Great Get Together on Thursday, 15th June as part of a national initiative in memory of MP, Jo Cox, to bring people together.

Approached by the Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, Dom Chambers, at Somer Valley FM and who is also a member of the Midsomer Norton and Radstock Rotary Club, in turn contacted Julie Harrington, from Virgin Care’s Healthy Lifestyles team (and who is also a 2nd Paulton Brownie leader), to help coordinate an event, working on a previously successful format which took place to celebrate the Queen’s 90th Birthday in the village.

As a result, members of Paulton Lunch Club and users of the Midsomer Norton and Radstock Community Service Vehicle were invited to a tea party at the Paulton Scout and Guide Community Hall, where the Brownies provided a sumptuous afternoon of cakes, sandwiches and entertainment. The adults attending were asked to bring photographs of their childhood to share memories with the younger generation, as part of the ethic of the event – to bring people together who might not necessarily meet. They were also joined by singers from Writhlington School’s Sixth Form.

Speaking about the event, Chair of B&NES Council, Cherry Beath, said: “This has been a fantastic effort to get everyone together, demonstrating, as Jo Cox once said, that there is more that unites us than divides us. We should be focusing on that unity, which is a perfect way to honour her memory. And then we can get on and focus on what needs to be done.”

Dom Chambers added: “The underlying ethic of this event is to bring people together and at least six community groups are here today, from all generations.”

“It really didn’t matter if the tea being served was a bit wobbly,” said Julie Harrington. “The main thing was that the girls were interacting with the older residents and everyone came together for a really enjoyable afternoon.”

With support from the Midsomer Norton and Radstock Rotary Club, a huge cake was commissioned for everyone to share at the tea party, provided by Farrington’s Farm Shop.