Join the Big Lunch bunch in Southend

On Sunday 18th July the  Eden Project is asking people across Britain to sit down with their neighbours in streets, parks or playgrounds and celebrate what makes their communities great.

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council is offering to help neighbours who would like to organise street parties to enable them to get to know each other and share a fantastic day together.

Last year Big Lunches took place across Southend with neighbours eating lunch in the street, playing music and decorating their roads.

The events reflected the open and friendly attitudes people in the town had towards their neighbours, with many cultures and age groups taking part in scenes reminiscent of the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977. 

Residents organised and took part in face painting, egg and spoon races and musical events as well as enjoying an African Drumming workshop that visited two street parties in one day!

More than two million people nationwide took part in last year's event, and nine million people are expected to take part in this year's Big Lunch.

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council is committed to supporting residents and will offer suggestions on fun events and advice on how to make your Big Lunch inclusive.

Residents who register their Big Lunch events with the Council can also take advantage of a scheme to help pay for Public Liability Insurance and to help cover the costs of road closures.

If a road closure is not possible parks and school playgrounds will be made available and large landowners such as the National Trust and The Church of England have also offered land.

Councillor John Lamb, Deputy Leader of Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, said: "We are delighted to be supporting The Big Lunch 2010.

"Aiding communities and local neighbourhoods to host these street parties will help create a stronger community spirit in the area."

For more information on holding Big Lunch events in Southend call Ashley Dalton in the Strategic Transport and Planning Policy Team on 01702 215004 or email council@southend.gov.uk

To register your Big Lunch and get support and guidance on running it contact the Council's Events Team on 01702 215011.

For Ideas and suggestions on how to make your street's Big Lunch perfect for you try the Big Lunch website on http://www.thebiglunch.co.uk/

For general ideas about street party planning try http://www.streetsalive.net/

For more information about this media release please call the Media and Communications Team on 01702 215000 ext 5939 or e-mail council@southend.gov.uk.