THE Great Get Together returns to Ilkley on Sunday, June 24 for a street party that aims to tackle loneliness and build community.

Visitors to Ilkley and residents of the town are all invited to come together for the Ilkley Big Lunch and Street Party on the Grove from noon to 4pn with friends and neighbours to celebrate community.

Becky Malby from the team organising the event said: “After the launch of the Great Get Together last year 65 per cent of people said that going to a Big Lunch reinforced their relationships with people in their community. This year we would like to see even more people come together to share this initiative founded by the family and friends of Jo Cox, who believed passionately about breaking down boundaries to combat loneliness.”

In 2017 it is estimated that around 9.3 million people took part in a Great Get Together event. This makes The Great Get Together even bigger than the 2012 Jubilee celebrations, and one of the biggest community celebrations to ever happen in Britain.

This year the Great Get Together Ilkley Big Lunch and Street Party has plenty to offer anyone bringing along their picnic. There is music from Salsa Domon Loco and Ilkley Moornotes, Joze Dance display, kids games, raffles and a quiz. Families, friends and neighbours are all invited to bring along their picnics and spend time together.

Shops in the town are also invited to take part in the Hunt the Sheet competition by placing a toy sheep in their windows. Visitors to the Great Get Together will be invited to follow the trail on the day of the street party.

Becky added: “After last year’s national events an incredible 83 per cent of people who got involved said that they had met someone new at the Great Get Together. This year we’d like to see even more people getting to know each other!”

For more information visit www.ilkleyggt.com