Gabrielle Doran from Ark Housing Association is inviting the community to come and enjoy a day of food, friendship and fun in the spirit of The Big Lunch on Saturday 22 June in Cumain House, Steele Dickson Gardens, Portaferry from 1–3pm.
She is planning a street party style out door community party for the local neighbours and community and families and residents of Ark Housing’s Cumain House to get to know each other better. The event is part of The Big Lunch campaign from The Lottery fund which has been sweeping Northern Ireland over the past few weeks with over1000 people ordering their own free packs to host a big lunch with family friends, neighbours and communities. The Big Lunch initiative is designed to reduce isolation and encourage friendlier safer communities.
Gabrielle said “We hope to have a street party with stalls of handcrafted items and paintings which the Portaferry Seniors Group has worked very hard on. There will also be face painting for the children and a second hand bookstall to enjoy.
Local PSNI, RNLI and Fire & Rescue service will be at hand to offer free health & safety advice and to provide an opportunity for the children to explore and learn more about the various emergency vehicles.
Everyone is welcome to bring along a picnic and enjoy the craic, however there will also be a BBQ and cake stall plus sweets & drinks to make the most of. We have put lots of effort into planning a fun day and hope everyone will spare an hour and come along to make it a success”.
NI Big Lunch campaign manager Grainne McCloskey said: “I have been overwhelmed by the success of our Big Lunch this year and in particular the excellent response from neighbours and communities across Co Down. This county certainly has community spirit as you have the highest number of requests for the Free pack so far with Antrim following a close second!
Big Lunches are a great way to bring the different generations together but its designed so ordinary neighbours can plan their own simple low cost events and help make our own streets and roads happier safer neighbourhoods where we know each other and share more. I’m delighted Ark Housing is supporting the campaign and wish Gabrielle and her community a great fun day.”
The Lottery-funded Big Lunch, supported by MasterCard, Kingsmill, Asda and Halifax is an annual event led by the Eden Project. Inspired to do something in your neighbourhood?
There’s still time to get your Free packs including undated materials such as posters, invitations, a planner and other resources to help organise your own Big Lunch just order online atwww.thebiglunch.com until the end of June 2013.
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