A number of memorial books have been put in place across Leek for people to leave tributes to MP Jo Cox following her death last week.
The MP for Batley and Spen in Yorkshire was shot and killed outside the library in the market town of Birstall, West Yorkshire, on Thursday, June 16, after holding a surgery for her constituents.
Quarnford resident Pam Brough has decided to ask the people of Leek to leave their tributes in a number of books she has placed at venues across the town.
She said: “The shock and sadness of Jo Cox’s murder has spread through Britain and beyond.
“People who knew her speak of a straight-talking young woman with a great sense of humour, who fought with compassion and commitment to make the world a better place, both for those in her constituency and beyond.
“The huge public response to this event is a powerful reminder that people of goodwill and compassion outnumber the perpetrators of acts of violence.
“Jo was shot in the market town of Birstall. Leek is also a market town. It seems fitting to send our own response to this tragic event, therefore books have been placed around the town so that the people of Leek can add their condolences.” Mrs Brough will be collecting the books on Tuesday, June 28, and then sending them on to Jo’s family.
More than 35 condolences were collected at the Phoenix Singers’ concert on Saturday evening at All Saint’s Church in Leek.
Chairman of the Singers, Alan Lees, said: “Our concert became an acknowledgement of the life and work of Jo Cox MP, whose death has so affected us all.
“The John Rutter Requiem which finished our concert became a fitting tribute to this most remarkable person.”
The memorial books have so far been placed at the office of the Leek Post & Times in the Market Place, Picture Book in Stanley Street, and at the Foxlowe Arts Centre in Leek.
A vigil for Jo Cox has also taken place next to the Nicholson War Memorial in Leek.
On Saturday people paid their respects for the 41-year-old between 10.30am to midday.
A debate on the EU Referendum due to be held at Moorside High School on Friday evening, June 17, was cancelled out of respect for her.
Councillors Charlotte Atkins and Joe Porter were due to speak.
Thomas Mair, aged 52, from Birstall, has been charged with murder, grievous bodily harm, possession of a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence and possession of an offensive weapon. At an initial hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court Saturday, he gave his name as “Death to traitors, freedom for Britain”. On Monday, he was remanded in custody during a hearing at the Old Bailey.
[from original article in Leek Post and Times]