PEOPLE from all backgrounds came together to enjoy food and one another’s company at the weekend.

Refugees, asylum seekers and homeless people were among those who joined the Big Bolton Bring and Share at Friends Meeting House, in Silverwell Street on Saturday afternoon.

They brought a variety of vegetarian food for everyone to enjoy and took the chance to meet and chat with new people

About 50 people came along during the two-hour event organised by City of Sanctuary Bolton.

The group is s part of a national movement which aims to build a culture of hospitality and welcome —particularly for refugees seeking sanctuary from war and persecution.

Shahla Holgeth, a volunteer with City of Sanctuary Bolton said the event had been a great success.

“It went really well, people have come and enjoyed themselves and met new people they would not otherwise have met.

“The idea is to get people from different communities together.

“The important thing is it’s about breaking down barriers, because a lot of people are quite isolated, especially when they first come here.”

She added that while everyone enjoyed tucking into the food, the most important things was giving people the opportunity to meet and make new friends in town.

She said: “Some people have been here a long time and have never had the chance to meet other people. They very rarely get the chance to mix with others. That can be for language reasons, cultural reasons, or simply because they simply don’t know what’s happening in Bolton.

“We’re using food to bring people together.”

Ms Holgeth also added that the group had received funding from Greater Manchester Police to combat hate crime.

“Part of the criteria for that is to bring people together, to break down misconceptions about different groups and promote community cohesion,” she said.

Helen McHugh, vice chair of City of Sanctuary Bolton said there had been a ‘lovely atmosphere’ at the get together.

She added: “City of Sanctuary is a national movement - Sheffield, Manchester, Bristol and areas of London are all cities of sanctuary.

All over the country people are making a place to feel welcome and safe.”