Southend Borough Council offers funding for The Big Lunch
On 19th July, the Eden Project asks the British people to sit down to lunch with their neighbours, in their street, a nearby park or a playground, to remind themselves of all that is great about their communities.
Southend Borough Council, through The Big Lunch, has invited and will offer assistance to neighbours to get together and run their own event however they wish, whether it is eating Sunday lunch in the street, bringing family dishes to share, playing music or making decorations for the events.
The average turnout of British street parties at 80%. The Eden Project hopes for 6 million people to take part.
To support residents in getting involved and helping each other, Southend Borough Council is offering funding to help pay for insurance and road closures for the events.
Staff members are also on hand to advise whether or not certain roads can be closed and the permissions and costs for each.
Public liability insurance for a Big Lunch event can be as little as £80, which can be shared between neighbours at each event.
If a road closure is not possible, parks, school playgrounds, large landowners such as the National Trust and The Church of England have offered land for the day, details of which are available on the Big Lunch website.
Ideas and suggestions on how to make your street’s Big Lunch perfect for you are available on The Big Lunch website at www.thebiglunch.co.uk.
For general ideas about street party planning, try www.streetsalive.net.
More information about registering an event with Southend Borough Council, obtaining funding and planning road closures is available on the council website, www.southend.gov.uk; alternatively, call 01702 215000 extension 5538.
