Community and faith groups from across Batley have organised a unique event to celebrate the diversity and unity that flows though the town.
Local people, children and families will meet at 2pm this Saturday at Batley Market Place to stroll together to the Batley Bulldogs rugby ground on Mount Pleasant.
The Walk With Us Friendship Walk has been brought together by local organisations representing all the community - including Kirklees Council, Batley Bulldogs, Indian Muslim Welfare Society, Pakistani Kashmiri Welfare Association, local churches and local mosques.
The Revd Mark Umpleby, Associate Priest at United Benefice of Batley said: “The Walk With Us project began many months ago when I suggested to a few faith leaders that we do lots of visits and events where people from different faiths meet together - but these are not seen by many people apart from those who attend.
“Walk With Us intends to show the existing lovely friendships - which are growing - between people from different faiths out on the streets of Batley. It will be an opportunity for people of different faiths and no faith to come together and enjoy a walk together, find out more about one another, and sample the refreshments and activities at the Batley Bulldogs Stadium. "
Everyone is welcome on Walk With Us on Saturday 15th October meeting in Batley Market Square at 2.00pm for a 2.30pm departure to Batley Bulldogs Stadium.
He said: “We as faith leaders in Batley will hope to continue to have events, visits, and times to come together - where whole communities in Batley can grow in friendship and understanding - to see how much we do have in common but also to celebrate our differences. Please do come along.”
Mohamed Mulla, Chair of the Indian Muslim Welfare Society, said “"Following on from the horrific murder of Jo Cox we decided that we, as an established community organisation, needed to do much more to cement the community cohesion as Indian Muslim Welfare Society has been at the forefront of this kind of activities. Together with the local faith leaders we came up with an idea of a friendship walk."
Mohamed Mulla added: "Hopefully the friendship walk will send out a strong message of a united community in Batley and Spen. We hope to organise many more similar events in partnership with local people and organisations in future."
Jon Humpleby, from the Batley Bulldogs community team, said, “Batley Bulldogs are delighted to be involved with other community groups in organising such a positive event for everyone in the local community.
“We look forward to giving all the walkers a very warm welcome on their arrival at the Fox's biscuits stadium.”
The Friendship Walk is for any individual and families of all ages, ethnicity and faiths. The walk is planned to start at 2pm and will conclude with refreshments and activities at the Bulldogs’ stadium. Anyone who might find the walk difficult is very welcome to join us at the start and the finish to show their support.
You can follow the walk on Twitter at @BatleyWalkTalk