Partnered by
- Big Lottery Fund - Lottery funded
- MasterCard
- Kingsmill
- Asda
- Halifax
- Communities and Local Government
What an amazing day! We’re delighted to report that a record number of people across the country sat down on Sunday with their neighbours for a Big Lunch. We estimate that more than six million people took part in the annual Big Lunch community get together – this year also celebrating The Queen’s 60-year reign.
Big Lunches were hosted in every nook and cranny of the UK: from the Isle of Lewis in the Hebrides to the Isle of Wight in Hampshire, from Hillsborough Castle in County Down to Great Yarmouth in Norfolk to Truro in Cornwall. Stories, photos and videos have been flooding in since the big day – if you haven’t sent yours yet then do! Email us using the details below.
The tens of thousands of Big Lunches took many forms, from traditional street parties to picnic lunches in back gardens or local parks. Lunches ranged in size from private gatherings of 10 people, to larger public lunches for thousands – with the largest in Greenwich hosting up to 10,000 people.
Big Jubilee Lunch Director, Peter Stewart, said: “We knew that this year’s Big Lunch was going to be extra special. It has really captured the nation’s imagination – not to say its love of a royal celebration. We have been bowled over by the response from people up and down the country who not only wanted to get together and have lunch with their neighbours, but wanted to celebrate this very special occasion in a time-honoured fashion.”
It’s not just the UK that broke out the bunting for a Big Lunch. From sunrise to sunset, people in 70 countries across the globe took part in Big Lunches to celebrate The Queen’s 60-year reign. International lunches have been held in Nigeria, Afghanistan, Islamabad, Delhi, Durban, Kathmandu, on the Polynesian island nation of Tuvalu and even in the Arctic Circle.
It was a truly inspiring to see such community spirit, despite the wet and cold weather in lots of places! We’re excited to announce that next year’s Big Lunch will take place on Sunday 2nd June 2013.
How did your event go? We’d love to hear about it so please get in touch, email yourstories@thebiglunch.com or jubileestories@thebiglunch.com and send your photos to photos@thebiglunch.com
Big Jubilee Lunch 2012, an Eden Project
Thank you for getting the idea going – we had a lovely lunch in Worlds End in West Sussex. 32 folk from the neighbourhood attended. the beer from Carling was popular!
Regards,
Gerry Canning
Secretary
Worlds End Association
We had a great Jubilee Big Lunch. Had to wait until Tuesday as our Village hall was being used by Jubilee “campers”. Over 70 people came and we had masses of food – a superb spread. The vicar said a special grace which had been written for the Jubilee and we gave a loyal toast to Her Majesty . A great round off to a fantastic weekend.
We had our Big Lunch on Thursday May 31st at Lonsdale Chase sheltered scheme. We invited our neighbours from Lonsdale Mews. Everyone really enjoyed it & we are hoping to do it again next year.
Carole Bolan
Housing Support Co-ordinator
Symphony Housing Group
The Great Elm Village Hall Committee organized our Jubilee Big Lunch on June 2nd by the village green which was gaily decorated with tubs of red white and blue petunias grown on from seedlings. We started in the drizzle with a flotilla parade which included a magnificent Queen’s Barge float and a Bermudan rigged dog cart. 100 people sat down in two borrowed marquees for the banquet which was subsidized by the Parish Council whilst a cash bar paid for the accompanying minstrels. Thanks to all who assisted in this enjoyable community event.
We held the Big Party/Diamaond Jubilee celebrations in our Communal Lounge providing a buffet tea party and an entertainer.
We dressed the lounge with bunting, ballons and flags and all enjoyed the day residents, family, friends and staff.
We raised £88.63 on tombola and £183.00 for a sponsored walk all of which was donates to St Lukes Hospice our local charity who benefitted from our Big Party attended by 50 in number.
We had our big lunch on Mon 4th of June in Portrush Co. Antrim and we had a brilliant time! Over 50 adults and 40 kids enjoyed the day, which included a meal which was provided by us all, a bouncy castle, a visit to our table by an Olympic torch and its bearer and to top it all off it was sunny!!
Thank you and we look forward to doing it again next year EVEN bigger and BETTER!!
We held our Jubilee Party/Big Lunch on Sunday 3rd June in Chelsfield, Kent. Attendance went up each day in the week leading up to our event, so we ended up with 83 adults and children. Shame the weather wasn’t kinder but we still managed to have a great buffet with bbq provided by us all. We had a “put your head through the busby” photo opportunity, and we made a red telephone box for the children. Lots of flags and bunting, all houses were decorated it was fantastic. Since the party the road has much more of a community spirit, and we regularly have small get togethers with our neighbours. Perhaps we can another big party next year!!
We had a fabulous, if slightly soggy big lunch for the Jubilee. Really great to see all the neighbours and hopefully it will become an annual event in our road! We ended up in our house because of the rain, but it was a really good afternoon.
Romney Road Jubilee Streetparty June 3rd was fantasic! The kids loved playing in traffic free streets on scooters, bouncy castles, hop scotch ect. We had Queen Betty as guest of honour. So much food that we took trays to the homeless shelter. Fancy dress, houses were decorated everyone had a great time. We want to carry it on with a yearly Big lunch.
Stewart Place Street Party, Catrine, Ayrshire – Sunday 3rd June was brilliant! A small street with big hearted people. Bunting, fancy dress, food and FUN galore! Great opportunity to meet and welcome our new neighbours and even some of our old neighbours came to join the party! Already have our Big Lunch Pack for this year….We can’t wait! Thank you :)