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April 20, 2011

Out to Lunch – in a Big way

Two years ago, the Eden Project in Cornwall had a simple idea which was to get people out of their houses to have lunch with their neighbours in a simple act of community, friendship and fun. Since 2009, thousands of Big Lunches have taken place – last year nearly a million people got involved – and this year that number is expected to be even greater.  June 5th is the date – so if street parties to celebrate the Royal Wedding aren’t your thing (or even if they are)

About The Big Lunch

The Big Lunch is a very simple idea from the Eden Project. The aim is to get as many people as possible across the whole of the UK to have lunch with their neighbours in a simple act of community, freindship and fun. This year it’s happening on Sunday 5th June and a record number of people are expected to take part – why not be one of them?

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

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

To have fun, to make friends with your neighbours, to share skills and stories…

Check out your photos and stories from the Big Lunches held in 2009 and 2010. Be inspired

Why we started it

The Eden Project started The Big Lunch in the belief that we, as a society, are better equipped to tackle the challenges that we face when we face them together.

Since the event began in 2009, thousands of Big Lunches have taken place in all kinds of communities and the best part of a million people have been involved each year. A record number of people right across the country are expected to take part in 2011.

The thinking behind The Big Lunch

The Big Lunch is based on a belief that the world can be a better place through people working together, with nature, optimism and common sense.
• We know that when people get together, we become more positive and start to sort out some serious stuff.
• By simply having some fun with our neighbours on one day in the summer, we can build new friendships that we can enjoy for the rest of the year.
• The Big Lunch is a chance for neighbours from different generations and backgrounds to hear each other out and share stories, skills and interests. We call this phenomenon ‘human warming’.

Find out about the long tradition of community celebrations on Britain’s streets. Past street parties