Flag lowered to half-mast after Grenfell Tower fire and minute's silence at Great Get Together

THE FLAG has been lowered to half-mast over the Guildhall as a mark of respect for the victims of the fire at Grenfell Tower in London.

Cllr George Pippas, Mayor of Cambridge, will lead a minute’s silence at the start of The Great Get Together event on Sunday (18 June) at the Meadows Community Centre, 1 St Catharine's Road, Cambridge, which takes place from 12 noon to 3pm.

Cllr Pippas said: “The horrifying fire and loss of life at Grenfell Tower has shocked people across the nation.

“Innocent lives have been lost in the most terrible of circumstances and the suffering endured by the residents is deeply upsetting.

“Yet, amidst the tragedy there were heartening scenes of people coming together to support each other and, once again, the courage and professionalism of the emergency services is something we must all be thankful for.

“Along with so many other people, my thoughts are with the victims, their families and friends.”

The Great Get Together event, in memory of MP Jo Cox, a year on from her murder, is being supported by Cambridge City Council.

Many Cambridge residents are organising their own events for The Great Get Together, a new national event organised by the Jo Cox Foundation, which is encouraging people to get together with neighbours for a celebration of what people have in common.

The event on Sunday has been organised by Cambridgeshire HOPE not hate and Cambridge City Council, with support from Cambridge Ethnic Community Forum, Cambridge Food Cycle, Cambridge Refugee Resettlement Campaign, Cambridge Convoy Refugee Action Group, Cambridge City of Sanctuary, Amnesty International Cambridge City Group, ethnic and faith communities, voluntary groups and many individuals.

For more information please visit the Cambridge Great Get Together Facebook event page: www.facebook.com/events/286043835191072