Once a year, we are asking the nation to sit down to lunch with their neighbours in a simple but profound act of community.

Up to a million people around the UK took part in the first ever Big Lunch in 2009. How many more will join them on Sunday 18th July 2010?

Sunday 19th July 2009 saw thousands of neighbourhoods stop the traffic and break out the bunting for a few happy hours, in the biggest collection of open-air parties since the Golden Jubilee. And they loved it!

Over a third of Big Lunchers rated theirs 10 out of 10 and over 9 million people have said they want to get involved in the next one.

What’s the big idea behind The Big Lunch? It’s a simple one, really. We wanted to know what would happen if everyone in the country stopped what they were doing for a moment and sat down and had lunch with their neighbours.

The first Big Lunch showed that, at the very least, it would put a smile back on Britain’s face. We’ve got a hunch that, in time, a whole host of good things would flow from the strengthening of communities, too…

The first ever Big Lunch would not have been possible without the help of our massive army of friends and supporters who pledged their time and energy to help make this day a success.

Thanks guys, you’re all amazing!