Ludlow street party to return next year
A street party in a town square has been such a success that organisers have said it will be an annual event.
The party in Ludlow's Castle Square was the town's response to a national weekend of events in memory of murdered MP Jo Cox, under the banner the Great Get Together.
But the street party also co-incided with the opening weekend of Ludlow Fringe Festival, dovetailing with events and entertainment across the town on Sunday.
Organisers from Ludlow Fringe, community group People4Ludlow and the Ludlow Women's Centre arranged the facilities, while residents from the town and its surrounding communities provided food to share.
Now organisers have said a street party on the opening weekend of next year's festival is already pencilled in – whether there is a another national Great Get Together or not.
David Burton, from People4Ludlow, said the feedback from visitors to the town, many of them with young families, was that “Ludlow cared” and that the Great Get Together “reinforced the bonds of our communities.”
He said: “The town really came together and demonstrated that we would not be separated by class, political views, religion or wealth and we are delighted to have been part of this event and to have held it under the auspices of the Fringe Festival – it’s been a great day, a huge success, and we are sure to hold a similar event next year.”
Frances Lloyd from the Women’s Centre added: “While this event celebrated the life of the late Jo Cox MP, it was also an opportunity to express a response to some of the distressing events over recent weeks and, indeed, we were highly delighted with the response from all those who participated."
