The UK has a long history of street parties to celebrate national events. As a group of residents we are organising a street party/big lunch to bring together the residents of Dapdune Road (and Nettles Terrace), celebrate our connections, get to know each other and foster a sense of community to mark this significant event.
We are a mixed street, with owner occupiers, student and professional renters and HMO's. Some residents have been here for many many years whilst others join yearly, we have young families, students, OAPs and everything in between. We think we may have up to 10 nationalities living on the road - but we don't know!
We would like to bring the residents together for a traditional afternoon of games, competitions, art and music for young and old to foster a stronger community. Residents have already offered their skills in music, art tuition/guidance, bakery and friendship. We have plans for a great day :)
What we'll deliver:
- Close the road and hiring barriers and road closed signs to ensure everyone's safety
- Hire tables, chairs, bunting and gazebos
- Provide food for those unable to contribute their own or less able to participate
- Painting and competition under the eye of our resident artists
- Games for young and old
- Face painting
- Jam session for those interested
- Bakeoff competition to be judged by the resident living on the street the longest (or the oldest resident!)
- Pay for the required 'road closure' permission to ensure a safe day
Why it's a great idea:
After a difficult few years a street party/big lunch is an opportunity for the 60+ houses on Dapdune Road (and 10 on Nettles Terrace) to celebrate something positive together; the Queen's amazing achievement of her Platinum Jubilee.
It will help neighbours meet and get to know one another, build-on the pockets of community that developed through the pandemic and promote support structures among the residents to build resilience for the future.
Steps to get it done:
- Prepare and close the road for the street party
- Decorate and set up the road for the celebration
- Hold the communal event - street party/big lunch
We have had some great ideas;
- an art session and with jubilee themed art competition for the children of the street supervised by resident artists
- a jam session facilitated by the musicians on the street
- games for youngsters (supervised by teenagers and adults) and everyone
- a bakeoff competition in honour of the jubilee with the judges being the oldest resident in age or length of time lived on the street
- face painting
- unstructured play
- litter picking and cleaning up before and after the event to instill as that we as a community can have an impact on the look of the road and encourage recycling
- quiz themed on the local area
- best front garden competition
