04 Apr Leigh on Sea woman invited to Buckingham Palace to launch official Jubilee celebration with Mel Giedroyc
Gwen Cook, from Leigh on Sea, joined Mel Giedroyc to get the Royal Jubilee party planning started at a special Big Jubilee Lunch event in Her Majesty
The Queen’s Buckingham Palace Garden. Seasoned organiser, Gwen, shared tips as people across the UK start planning their own Big Jubilee Lunch celebrations from 2-5 June.
In just two months’ time, neighbours around the UK will be coming together to mark The Queen’s 70-year reign with
Big Lunch street parties and community celebrations. To kick off the festivities, broadcaster, actress and comedian, Mel Giedroyc was joined in the gardens of the iconic Royal Residence by Gwen and nine other Big Lunch organisers from all four corners of the UK, to get their tips and inspiration on how to get the platinum party started.
Discussing what people in every street can bring to the table, Gwen shared her ideas with Mel and together they discussed how the annual event has helped make meaningful connections and bring communities together through simply sharing friendship, food and fun.
Speaking from Buckingham Palace, Mel Giedroyc said:
“I’m thrilled by all the fantastic top tips I’ve heard today. It’s been a joy to share this special moment with these inspiring people here in the Buckingham Palace Gardens. The Big Jubilee Lunch is something that everyone can be part of, it’s about having fun and making connections – and I think we are all ready for a good
old knees up! Anyone, anywhere can be part of The Big Jubilee Lunch, whether that’s
a cuppa on your doorstep, a BBQ in your back yard or a full-blown street party – it’s easy to take part. So why not give it a go? Start planning a Big Jubilee Lunch to have some fun with your community on 2-5 June and mark this mega moment in our country’s
history.”
Gwen added:
“It has been an absolutely fantastic day. Really good fun. It has made me get really excited about our own Big Jubilee lunch this June. We’ve already had our first meeting so we’re planning a great celebration this summer.”
Gwen has been holding Big Lunches for many years with her husband Alan and considers them a foundation of community. The couple also run Just Ride Southend accessible cycling project and organise weekly food bank collections on street, as well as other charitable initiatives in their community. Gwen is planning a Big Jubilee Lunch at Just Ride on 4 June, and a community Big Jubilee Lunch on 5 June.
The Big Lunch is the UK’s biggest annual celebration bringing neighbours and communities together every year to share food and fun in a nationwide act of connection and friendship. Recognising the importance of community spirit, Her Majesty has made The Big Jubilee Lunch an official part of her platinum celebrations from 2-5 June this year, which will also see processions, pageants, faith services and concerts in honour of The Queen’s 70 years of service. Over 12 million people across the UK are planning to mark this
once in a lifetime moment with Big Jubilee
Lunch street parties and community celebrations where they live.
Peter Stewart, Executive Director of the The
Big Lunch initiative, said: “The
Big Lunch has been bringing neighbours and communities together on the first weekend in June for over a decade and what an extra special year 2022 is going to be! We know that good things happen when people come together and so we want to invite everyone everywhere to take part – that’s what makes The Big Jubilee Lunch BIG! With only two months to go until a once in a lifetime event, now is the time to gather your neighbours, rally your road, and get ready to celebrate this historic moment together.”
