What happened in 2009

Sunday 19th July 2009 saw up to a million people, thousands of neighbourhoods and miles of bunting take to the streets. (Who knows how much bigger it might have been without the rain!)

From the Celtic Gateway to the Humber Bridge, and from Aberdeen to Bodmin, thousands of neighbourhoods took part in this glorious celebration of community spirit in the biggest collection of open-air parties since the Golden Jubilee.

The Big Lunch team took to the streets to capture the excitement in the air – and make this movie.

What people said

“The oldest attendee was aged 93 and rarely leaves her flat as she is unable to walk... so she was thrilled to be in the open air amongst the neighbours.”

“Just wanted to say the neighbours got together yesterday on my street (we have never done this... ever!) and we all had a great time chatting with each other. I got to know some ‘new’ faces and learn a bit of history about the street from some of the neighbours that have lived on the street for almost half a century!”

“Matson Park, Gloucester Big Lunch was wet and fun – fried egg sandwiches made on the spot with eggs from the hens living behind the hedge.”

Check out more Big Lunchers’ stories and pictures at www.thebiglunchers.com

A taste of the Big Lunch

• Tranquair Village in Scotland held a Big Lunch in the village hall with traditional games like fir cone’n’spoon, sack races and a treasure hunt.
  
  
• A Big Lunch was held on Olympic Way in London on the processional route leading up to Wembley Stadium
  
  
• Battersea High Street in South London had a party for 500+ people with entertainment and a BBQ put on by local restaurants.
  
  
• East End Park, Leeds – The Big Lunch brought together members of the community from different ethnic groups, as they shared traditional food from their culture with their neighbours.
  
  
• 18 Cornwall Care Homes held Big Lunches with family and neighbours including a grannies disco, line dancing and cream teas.
  
  
• People’s Park, Banbury held a Big Lunch with knitted bunting from the local knitting club.
  
  
• L8 Big Lunch – probably the Biggest Big Lunch, for 5000 people in Toxteth.
  
  
• Fighting Close in Coventry Myles gave over a patch of front lawn to all the children in the street to grow their own veg for The Big Lunch. One of the residents also donated a sheep!