Neighbourhoods encouraged to take part in The Big Lunch
Communities across Shropshire are being encouraged to get together and take part in The Big Lunch between Saturday 17 June 2017 and Sunday 18 June 2017.
The Big Lunch
The Big Lunch, an Eden Project initiative, is held every year to encourage as many people as possible to have lunch with their neighbours in a simple act of community, friendship and fun.
To aid this, Shropshire Council has set up a dedicated website to help people organise their street party. The website provides people with information on how to apply for road closures which is free of charge for street parties, and how to apply for licenses.
This year there is more reason than ever to get involved and join the fun, as the annual event will coincide with The Great Get Together: a national celebration of what we have in common, marking the first anniversary of the murder of Jo Cox MP, who famously said we had more in common than that which divides us.
a typical street party
Clive Wright, Shropshire Council’s chief executive, said:-
“In our busy lives, it can be difficult to find time to catch up with our family, friends and neighbours. The Big Lunch offers us a great opportunity to get together, and we want to support local communities to ensure that everybody enjoys celebrating their Big Lunch by throwing a street party.
“To aid this, the council is committed to covering the cost for road closures for these special occasions.
“We also want to make it really simple for residents to apply to hold a Big Lunch or street party, and have set up a dedicated page on everything you need to know to make your party a success.”
a Big Lunch scene
To find out more about The Big Lunch and how to apply for a road closure for your street party visit, http://new.shropshire.gov.uk/the-big-lunch.
If you or your neighbours are juggling busy lives, working irregular shift patterns or fasting for Ramadan on Big Lunch day, why not hold a Lunar Lunch instead? Find out more about Lunar Lunches.
Further information
How the Big Lunch started
The Big Lunch is a very simple idea from the Eden Project. The aim is to get as many people as possible across the whole of the UK to have lunch with their neighbours annually in June in a simple act of community, friendship and fun.
Now in its ninth year, the idea of The Big Lunch which was initiated by the Eden Project and is made possible by the Big Lottery Fund, remains the perfect recipe for having fun with your neighbours, feeding community spirit and helping to build stronger neighbourhoods.
The annual event encourages millions of neighbours and residents all over the UK to get to know each other, with over seven million people taking part in 2016 alone.
Hundreds gathered for street parties across the borough in celebration of the Big Lunch 2016 on Sunday 12 June. The nationwide annual event brought neighbours and communities together over a shared meal. 2016’s event was extra special as the Queen celebrated her 90th birthday.
