Britain is breaking out the bunting and barbecues for the second annual Big Lunch on Sunday 18 July 2010.

What's it all about?

For many it won’t be a one-off event, but the start of regular EcoTeam get-togethers.

Across the country, neighbours are coming together to decorate their streets and gardens, plan food and entertainment and to celebrate their neighbourhood, and what they can achieve together.

Community spirit

In all four corners of the UK, people are organising events ranging from a simple bring-your-own picnic with a couple of neighbours to a full-blown street party.

Big Lunches are taking place in the far north of the Shetland Isles and the far south of Jersey, and stretch from County Down in Northern Ireland to Great Yarmouth in the East of England.

The Big Lunch has the potential to build stronger, friendlier communities on a massive scale. It can lead to more regular community get-togethers so that people can tackle the environmental and social issues important to them. EcoTeams provides the perfect framework for this. Peter Stewart, Eden’s Campaigns and Communications Director.

Peter organised an event in his own neighbourhood last year:

The morning after a Big Lunch has a feeling like no other. You walk down the street where, yesterday, people were eating, chatting, playing instruments, skateboarding and cooking on barbecues. The whole place feels different. I feel different. Together we can achieve so much. Peter Stewart.

Take part

There is still time to take part in the nationwide event on Sunday 18 July – people can search for a local Big Lunch using their postcode, or start their own at the Big Lunch website.

Contact us

Email ecoteams@globalactionplan.org.uk.

Visit the EcoTeams website to find out more about what's involved. You can also follow EcoTeams on facebook.

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