Hundreds of Epsom residents including the mayor enjoyed exquisite food and music at Epsom's Refugee Network (ERN)'s More In Common event on Sunday (July 7).

The event borrowed its title from the words of the Labour MP Jo Cox (1974-2016) who was murdered by a far-right terrorist in 2016 and was an activist for refugee causes, previously saying "we are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us."

The message chimed well with the theme of the evening, and was endorsed wholeheartedly by Epsom and Ewell Mayor John Beckett.

"We live in difficult times and we need to understand that everybody is different but we all have more in common than we think," Cllr Beckett, who attended the community event with the lady mayor Alison Beckett, said.

"I am delighted to have been able to welcome such a wide diversity of people living in and around Epsom and Ewell and to enjoy so many different cultures."

ERN said that the concert attracted hundreds of attendees, who were treated to a day of diverse music and dance, plus a delicious buffet supplied by supporters of the cause.

Among the performers were Osama Kiwan, a renowned Syrian musician living in exile in the UK since 2016, and his remarkably talented musical family, who also played last year's event.

"It was very special for us to perform songs from our homeland to fellow Syrians and other nationalities to see how much the Epsom residents enjoyed it, some of whom had never heard our music before," Mr Kiwan said.

Alongside the music, two talented teenage sisters exhibited Bharatanatym Indian dance, while an incredible array of food, plus children's activities including Henna, football and face painting helped draw residents on the day.

"We never anticipated such a large turnout – it was a like an enormous party where everyone had such fun and joined in.

"People from many different backgrounds all enjoying being together, just as Jo Cox said," Rachel Cahill, an organiser from ERN, said of the More In Common event.

For more information about upcoming events and how you can get involved and support ERN, go to: https://epsomrefugeenetwork.org/