Hi keith,
We wanted to email out a quick update on what’s been going on in Batley and Spen, but if you prefer your updates in video form, we made this lovely little video to coincide with the Great Get Together. Have a watch, then share it with friends on social media!
The Batley and Spen by-election is just over a week away, and we’ve been working hard to support local community activists who are trying to keep the community united in the face of divisive and hateful campaigns from far right candidates here.
But this is a strong community, which has found strength and unity in the face of adversity. As local vicar, Rev. Mark Umpleby told us, after the murder of Jo Cox "we wanted to bring out communities together, and not let such an event divide us."
We have mainly been supporting local community figures like Mark who want to ensure the by-election doesn’t divide people. We helped kick off the Great Get Together weekend with tea and cakes with the Friends of Batley Station. The refreshments were delicious and the vibes were just as great! Gwen, who founded the group with Jo Cox six years ago, took me for a grand tour of the quirky little station. She delighted in recounting the history and why it had become such an important part of remembering Jo’s legacy and message that we have more in common than that which divides us.
All the community organising we’ve been able to do over the last few weeks is because of the donations of HOPE not hate supporters. This work is your work too. Thank you for being part of it.
The by-election is in just over a week, but our work won’t stop after the votes have been counted. We’re going to be supporting local groups for the rest of the year, to help their work and to ensure there’s no fall out from the damage done by divisive outside candidates.
I’ll be in touch soon with another update. Thanks for reading - and please share our great new video on Facebook and Twitter.
–Roxy (and the rest of the fab HNH campaign team!)
