Time to start planning for your Big Lunch

With the days lengthening as the year moves into spring, many are looking forward to the summer ahead – and what better way to enjoy it than by having a street party?

Once again, the council is encouraging everybody to get involved in supporting their local Big Lunch in Croydon on Sunday 7 June.

Every year, the Big Lunch sees communities in all corners of the borough sitting down to eat and chat with people they may see every day but, because of today’s busy lives and hectic schedules, never really get to know.

Sitting down to break bread is a simple, yet profound, act of community that can have a real impact – research shows that when people get involved, they feel good, and it has a noticeable effect on their area.

Show your support and register your event at the national Big Lunch website, or talk to the council if you’re planning to hold a street party.

All it takes is a 10-minute visit to www.croydon.gov.uk/biglunch

You will need to say where the event is to be held and what sort of facilities will be offered.

Alternatively, call the council’s customer services advisers on 020 8726 6000, and the rest will be done for you.

The application deadline for Big Lunch parties requiring a road closure, or those planned to be held in one of the borough’s parks or open spaces, is 8 May.

To make it really simple to apply to hold a party, the council will cover the costs of road closures and provide appropriate signs – saving each party more than £1,000.

Cllr-Newman

“Since being introduced a few years ago, the Big Lunch has gone from strength to strength and I know that it’s an event that many look forward to each summer.

“As a council, we fully support the idea behind the Big Lunch as it engenders friendships and unites communities in a way that might otherwise never happen.

“I’d say to anybody thinking about organising a Big Lunch in their street, in their block of flats, or at their community centre, to go right ahead – you’ll have a good time, make new friends and, possibly, get to sample food you’ve never previously tasted.”

Councillor Tony Newman, leader of the council

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Go to www.croydon.gov.uk/biglunch to find the answers to frequently asked Big Lunch questions, as well as:

• a list of available green spaces;
• how to safely stage events;
• how to arrange road closures; and
• how to arrange the use of land around your estate.

Even if a Big Lunch does not involve a street party, the council is keen that events are registered, in order that the Big Lunch archive is updated with this year’s events. Email parties@croydon.gov.uk

Big Lunch drop-in clinics are to be staged during March, giving event organisers an opportunity to ask questions.

Organisers of past Big Lunches are invited to offer photographs and stories from previous events to display during the clinics. Email parties@croydon.gov.uk or bring them along on the day.

Big Lunch drop-in events:

Friday 6 March, 1 to 3pm
Croydon BME Forum, Palmcroy House, 387 London Road, Broad Green CR0 3PB.

Thursday 26 March, 4 to 7pm
Team Croydon Shop, Unit 32, Centrale, 21 North End, Croydon, CR0 1TY.
(next to the Fragrance Shop and opposite Café Giardino)

Useful Big Lunch links

• Get your 2015 pack FREE from the national Big Lunch website now!
• Celebrate the Big Lunch in Croydon here: www.croydon.gov.uk/biglunch
• The Big Lunch on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thebiglunch
• The Big Lunch on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thebiglunch

Croydon Council is inviting groups to apply for funds to provide community activities within the borough. These activities could tackle negative behaviour or build on positive qualities within the community.

For information, go to

www.croydon.gov.uk/community/advice/tsfunding/funding/active-communities-fund

www.croydon.gov.uk/community/advice/tsfunding/funding/comminvest

 

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2015-02-24T14:29:08+00:00 February 24th, 2015|Recent news|