The annual Great Get Together was established by the Jo Cox Foundation in memory of the late MP’s belief that “we all have more in common than that which divides us”. It seeks to bridge division and remind communities of how much they have in common by staging a series of picnics, events and meet-ups.

Several of us from Out In The City and Friends of Dorothy went to the event in Sackville Gardens, in the heart of Manchester’s Gay Village, on Sunday 23 June.

It also happened to be Alan Turing’s birthday – he would have been 107!

Since its launch in 2017, the Great Get Together has seen over a hundred thousand “get togethers” and almost a million people taking part. It has become a powerful symbol of national unity and community. The Great Get Together is now one of the UK’s biggest and most successful charitable projects, honouring Jo Cox by showcasing the values she championed.

There was also a line dancing demonstration on Canal Street.