street party

[sillywoman]

Just idly pondering the possibility after a discussion with some neighbours. Is it possible to do one without having to pay a fortune to close the road?

[PeckhamRose]

We are in Southwark Council. There's your answer. Licences don't just print themselves yaknow! ;)

You'll also have to alert the police probably too.

And us!

[Eileen]

Has anyone come across this idea of a big street party across the nation on Sunday 19 July - www.thebiglunch.com? Anyone organising one? There is alleged to be one in Bellenden Road but so far a few of us have failed to penetrate the obscurity of the website to make contact with the people organising it. I have heard that it is a Government project though it is not clear from the site who is orginally behind it. But if it is a Government project maybe that is why it doesn't seem be very well geared to the local networks that need to be galvanised to make this happen? We can't even make contact with other keen people who have registered!

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

I tried, Eileen. I think you have to be on Facebook to make it work.

[halicon]

Hi tried to organise a street party to happen this spring and it was going to cost ?300 just to close the road!!

Then all the permits for everything else made it an uphill struggle.

Peckham Rose is right thats Southwark council for you! Lets get rid of any kind of community spirit by playing the money card. God forbid neighbours want to be sociable or friendly!!

[PeckhamRose]

Oh contraire. If SOUTHWARK wants to do it, or Government, then we can. If it comes from the top, we can.

If WE want to do it, then we have to jump through those financial hoops.

Why not have it in your nearest park.

OR the street nearest you that the Council have closed off (they've closed off several round here to 'prevent' cars doing rat runs to Nunhead), so you won't get in the way of traffic. Well, 'cept us pesky bikers...!

[Eileen]

Peckhamgatecrasher Wrote:

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> I tried, Eileen. I think you have to be on

> Facebook to make it work.

I have looked and it redirects you to the Big Lunch site!

[sillywoman]

Hmmm, looked at 'the big lunch' site and found the same problems as others have posted. We're not near a park or any closed roads (yet). The search for ideas to make it viable (not expensive) continues . . .

[Mrs Y]

Why not hold your party in Peckham Rye Park on the Common?

[Eileen]

Mrs Y Wrote:

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> Why not hold your party in Peckham Rye Park on the Common

Well it is nice to have a party in the Park or on the Common but that is not like a street party. The idea there is to have a party with your immediate neighbours in your own territory. It is possible that if the Big Lunch is a Government sponsored thing they may waive usual fees for street closure etc. But the website just ain't clear enough on such practical details and has no FAQ to ask!

[bawdy-nan]

or just shut the road with peopole and bunting and see what southwark does

[dc]

-

[SCSB79]

Upland road had a street party last summer... whole road was blocked off, music, food, games... looked a lot of fun.

[The Nappy Lady]

We had a street party several years ago, it was great. We worked out the costs and leafleted the entire street. Those who wanted to take part returned a slip and contributed a small amount, can't remember but it was ?10 or ?20 per household. They then got a badge with house number on, which also on the day let us know they had paid up so they were able to help themselves to the food we had laid on etc.

Sounds complicated I know, but what I am trying to say is that with each household making a small donation we were able to lay on a great event.

It is amazing how many people are able to offer stuff for free. In the end we had a band and square dancing, the fire brigade turned up with a fire engine for the children, the local PC (beat officer) turned up and joined in, and also a childrens clown / entertainer who was a friend came and laid on a show for the children. We also had a children's fancy dress competition, face painting, and enough BBQ's donated that we were able to cook food for everyone. As I recall we laid on various salads etc. and people brought their own meat for the BBQ. It all started at lunchtime and the last of us stopped drinking and went inside at about 1am!

The biggest hassle was getting all the cars moved off the street, 99% of people were fine, but 1 or 2 really didn't want to and felt it was all an inconvenience. Also jumping through the various health and safety loops set by the council was a pain.

It was a wonderful day and well worth the effort. We keep talking about doing another one, but so far I think we are all ducking because of the amount of time and effort it takes for the main organiser.

Molly

[David Mc]

I'd be up for (and would contribute a small amount towards) this. Though I tend to agree with the anarchic approach of doing it anyway and seeing what on earth the council and the police would do about it. Am in the mood for a bit of "f*ck them". They might even be able to claim it on their expenses!

[Pickle]

Upland Road has a street party every year (the upper end), although I'm yet to make it to one as we always seem to be away on the day it happens. I'm not sure who organises it etc., but am sure someone on here must. From all accounts it's always a really good day.

[sillywoman]

Yes, I remember reading about the Upland rd annual one on the forum. It's the kind of thing I had in mind. If there's anyone from Upland Rd out there could they let me know how you do it? Do you go down the official ?300 route each year, or just wing it & hope no-one reports you. Do you charge?

[Fuschia]

http://www.thebiglunch.com/big-idea/family

"The Big Lunch was dreamed up by Tim Smit and Paul Twivy one morning at the Eden Project.

Eden is all about projects, we believe in experiments that live, eat, breathe and with luck, thrive. Eden is a celebration of life. People say it puts champagne in your veins, which sounds a lot more fun than chlorophyll.

Although Eden have kicked started The Big Lunch (and are working hard to grease the necessary wheels of government that will help it come together), we're resisting the temptation to own or control the day. We want to keep it organic, create a mood, a rumour.

"

"Organisations supporting The Big Lunch so far:

Arts Council England, Arts in Regeneration, ... Local Government Association, ...

Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Mayor of London Boris Johnson, Hazel Blears MP Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, ..."

[ed_pete]

It may be too late but funding could probably been achieved by an application to the Southwark Community Fund - if you look at what was funded last year, one-off parties for the community seems a popular choice. Closing date was 15th May but if you're quick maybe they'd consider a late application.

[http://www.southwark.gov.uk/YourCouncil/communitycouncils/Communityfund.html]

[RosieH]

I worked on The Big Lunch, and am aware there are some issues with the website - it's not all always as clear as you might like, but essentially you should be able to set up a lunch on the website and people can get in touch that way. In reality, probably easier to direct people to a facebook page where it's easier to see who's doing what and contact people.

If you have any specific issues with the site, please let me know and I'll pass it on to the designers.

We're doing one on The Gardens (anyone on here from The Gardens want to join in?)

[Freddy1929]

Have a street party on a sunday in , a road without any bus route, close the street, by the time Southwark notice it will be monday and the street will be open again!!

[RosieH]

Re closing streets - from the Big Lunch people:

2 How do I close the street? You need to apply to your local council's Highways Department or Events Team. To help you, download the letter of support on www.thebiglunch.com from the Secretary of State (Geoff Hoon, you're a star). We have also written to every local authority in the country and put them on red alert for 19th July. If you can't use your street, try a communal garden, park or anywhere outdoors (just get permission from the relevant landowner). For more practical information, try our expert partner Streets Alive: www.streetsalive.net

[Freddy1929]

Am I so long in the tooth now that I'm just a rebel!! ''borrow'' a few of the ''road closed'' signs that are around ED at the moment and just put them at either end of your street/road!!! Result - street closed!!!

[RosieH]

Nice work! possibly wouldn't work on Lordship Lane though...

[Freddy1929]

Maybe not - but I'm willing to give it a try!!