The Mayor of Cambridge supports The Big Jubilee Lunch and calls for the people of Cambridgeshire to get to know their neighbours

March 28, 2012

Author: Kate

With less than 10 weeks to go until the big day, The Mayor of Cambridge, Ian Nimmo-Smith, today called for the people of Cambridgeshire to come together in an act of community spirit and neighbourliness by hosting his very own Big Jubilee Punting Lunch on the River Cam.

The Mayor commented; “I think The Big Lunch is a wonderful idea that reminds us of some key values within our communities including kindness, friendship, inclusiveness and helping our neighbours. I would encourage as many people as possible across Cambridgeshire to get involved and either hold or take part in a Big Jubilee Lunch on Sunday 3rd June.”

We joined The Mayor, local event organisers and our friends at The Trussell Trust, aboard two boats on the river this morning. We enjoyed a leisurely and picturesque punt along the river before stopping in front of the famous King’s College campus for a very English tea party.

We travelled in style on a traditional chauffeured punt which was decked out with bunting and a giant Big Jubilee Lunch Flag. We waved Union Jack flags in celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee before tucking into a typical Big Lunch of sandwiches, pork pies and tea cakes, and sipping tea poured from our Big Jubilee Lunch tea pot!

Peter Stewart, Campaigns Director at The Big Lunch, said; “We’re delighted with the support from East Anglia. We know it can be a little daunting making the first step towards knowing your neighbours better, but by requesting a free pack, with invitations, posters and celebrity recipe ideas, from our website, getting the ball rolling is made a lot easier.”

Sara Betsworth, Big Lottery Fund Head of the Region for the East of England, added: “We’re delighted to continue supporting this initiative and encourage charities, volunteer organisations and community groups across the East to request a Big Jubilee Lunch pack from the website and to start organising their own celebrations.”

Urszula Chojnacka, Trussell Trust Cambridge FoodBank, commented: “We’re pleased to be supporting The Big Jubilee Lunch in Cambridgeshire and across the country. There are some very close synergies between the Trussell Trust and The Big Jubilee Lunch in terms of building communities where people from all backgrounds are included.

“The Big Jubilee Lunch is something that everyone can take part in and we’re encouraging Big Jubilee Lunchers to ‘Bring a Tin’ to their celebrations for donation to their closest Trussell Trust foodbank to help local people in food poverty.”

Want to be more involved in promoting The Big Lunch by sharing your experience? Then get in touch with The Big Lunch at yourstories@thebiglunch.com or call 0845 850 8181 to speak to one of the team.