With less than 100 days to go until the 2014 Big Lunch, organisers of the UK's biggest annual get together are inviting Wolverhampton residents to join in the fun.

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Thousands of communities across the UK will be holding local events and street parties on Sunday 1 June, 2014.

The Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Milkinder Jaspal, joined organisers in St Peter's Square to launch this year's Big Lunch and urge residents to get involved.

He said: "Last year's Big Lunch celebrations really highlighted how much the people of Wolverhampton enjoyed spending time together, and how this initiative can really help to benefit and build community spirit.

"I am delighted to lend my support to The Big Lunch, and hope we will inspire people across the city to get to know those around them and take part."

For Wolverhampton residents interested in getting involved, free packs are now available from Type=links;Linkid=3198;Title=The Big Lunch;Target=_blank; and include invitations and posters to adapt by the local community, as well as seeds, bunting templates and an inspiration booklet with lots of ideas and information to help get people started.

Getting a Big Lunch off the ground is simple and inexpensive. In 2013 more than 3.65 million people took part in Big Lunches across the UK, including thousands from Wolverhampton.

Julie Oakley, who has previously arranged a Big Lunch in Bradmore Park, says organising an event is great fun. She said: "Our Big Jubilee Lunch was really worthwhile. We had a great turnout despite awful weather which brought local people together who may not have spoken to each other before.

"It's easy to take part, especially if you join in and get your free Big Lunch pack online, which has lots of helpful materials to get you started."

The Big Lunch is funded by the Big Lottery Fund and partnered by Halifax, ASDA and StreetClub by B&Q. Now in its 6th year, the simple idea from the Eden Project aims to provide neighbours with an opportunity to get to know one another better. Big Lunches can be big or small and they don't need to cost much because everyone brings something to the table - in fact, people are the key ingredient.

Sir Tim Smit KBE, Founding Director of the Eden Project and co-Founder of The Big Lunch said: "We wanted to create the excuse for each of us to get over the shyness of knocking on a neighbour's door for a street party and it seems The Big Lunch is exactly what millions of people in thousands of communities have been waiting for."

  • released: Thursday 27 February, 2014