The Big Lunch – are you joining in the fun?

With just two months to go until The Big Lunch, people in Edinburgh are being urged to join the fun and register now to host one of the thousands of community events expected to take place across the UK on 5th June.

The Big Lunch is a very simple idea from the Eden Project. The aim is to get as many of the 61 million people in the UK as possible to have lunch with their neighbours for a few hours of community, friendship and fun on Sunday 5th June.

A Big Lunch can be anything from a few neighbours getting together in the garden or on the street, to a full blown street party with food, music and decoration that quite literally stops the traffic.

This year a record number of people are expected to take part in the one day event and while Edinburgh is currently leading the way with registrations in Scotland, organisers are urging more people across the city to get involved and register now.

Since starting in 2009, thousands of Big Lunches have taken place in all kinds of communities and the best part of a million people get involved each year.

Claire Mack (26) lives in Abbeyhill in the east end of the city and has signed up for her first ever Big Lunch this year. Claire commented: “I heard about the Big Lunch through friends and colleagues earlier this year and decided to sign up. We’re having our Big Lunch in Holyrood Park, which is basically at the end of the street. I’m planning to do it picnic style and everyone can bring sandwiches or sausage rolls, that sort of thing.

“I’ve lived here for three years and still don’t know everyone in my own tenement, never mind in the streets around us. Where my mum lives everyone says ‘good morning’ and ‘hello’ when they pass in the street, but we don’t really have that here – yet.

Carol Smillie recently launched the campaign at a photocall at Edinburgh Castle. Commenting on the event she said: “The Big Lunch is a fantastic idea and I am sure that Scotland will lead the way, with a whole host of lunches taking place across the nation on Sunday 5th June.

“Not only is the Big Lunch a great day out for all of the family, it also allows neighbours to get together, form new friendships and make communities stronger.

“So why not sign up to organise a Big Lunch in your area today and bring together your neighbourhood.”

Jason Pollock, Campaign Director for The Big Lunch added: “The Big Lunch provides communities across Scotland with the opportunity to come together, get to know each other and form friendships which go beyond the one day event.

“We want everyone from Shetland to the Mull of Galloway to get involved. Whether it’s a party in a tenement garden or a sit down lunch in a local park, we want everyone to join in and register now.”

Jackie Killeen, Acting Scotland Director for the Big Lottery Fund, said: “We are delighted to support The Big Lunch which is a fantastic way to bring communities together and form lasting relationships in neighbourhoods across Scotland. We would urge everyone to get involved and register now.”

The Big Lunch is led by the Eden Project, funded by the Big Lottery Fund and supported by MasterCard and EDF Energy.

For more information, or to register for a Big Lunch and receive your free Big Lunch Starter Pack, go to their website or call 0845 850 8181 to speak to one of the team.