Big Lunch success in Garvagh

They joined an estimated 4 million people across the whole of the UK, as The Big Lunch seems set to establish itself in the nation’s annual

calendar on the first Sunday every June.

The Big Lunch, which is funded by the Big Lottery Fund and led by the Eden Project, encourages people across the UK to have lunch with their neighbours once a year, for a few hours of community, friendship and fun.

The simple act of chatting to neighbours can make a real difference in communities and can help tackle isolation say organisers behind the initiative. In Garvagh over 150 people got together over a bite to eat at the recently renovated ‘Cornerstone Park’.

The event, organised by a collection of local community groups, featured hula hooping, storytelling and a DJ, as the whole community united for a day of fun and family entertainment.

Organiser Karin Eyben, a Community Engagement Worker for Community Foundation NI, said “The Big Lunch is such a fantastic idea. We had to hold one and thought that it would be perfect to run alongside the opening of Cornerstone Park.

“The day was all about neighbours, families and friends connecting together to have fun as a neighbourhood, but we couldn’t have done it without the support of so many people. From our organising group to the businesses who made donations, it’s been fantastic and we can’t thank them enough.”

Another ’Big Lunch’ event took place at Ballysally Community Centre sponsored by Asda.