MORE than 116,000 community get-togethers were held nationwide last weekend in memory of Jo Cox.

And Taunton’s Castle Hotel joined the commemoration with an indulgent afternoon tea for some of Somerset’s most deserving and best loved pensioners.

Somerset residents were asked to nominate their ‘best loved’ pensioner, with entries shortlisted by a panel of judges, including the Castle’s chairman, Nicholas Chapman, and his wife, Annabel.

The great Somerset public, were then asked to vote, and the most favoured were brought together for a sumptuous afternoon tea at the hotel on Sunday, with the aim of meeting new people and building new friendships.

Nick Chapman said: "We received an overwhelming response from the public, both for nominations, and then in public votes.

"Reading the nomination forms made me realise how many wonderful people we have in the communities around us, and that is definitely worth celebrating."

Maureen Whaites, one of the pensioners at Sunday’s afternoon tea, said: "I had no idea I’d been nominated until my grandson, Danny (aged 23), came to me and said, 'Congratulations, you’ve won a competition!’

"I didn’t know anything about it. I got quite emotional when I found out, I’m not going to lie. It’s a lovely thing."

Her son, Gary Whaites, said: "She’s been having a hard time, so it’s given her a bit of a lift. We’re so glad she’s won."

The late Jo Cox, who was Labour MP for Batley and Spen, was murdered outside her constituency office in Birstall, West Yorkshire, on June 16, last year.

The Great Get Together was designed to bring people within communities closer, and encourage people to celebrate what we hold in common.