Neighbours Invited to Stage Summer Street Parties

COMMUNITIES across Reading are being invited to stage street parties this summer without having to pay the usual road closure fees.

Reading Borough Council is extending the ‘no-fee’ offer to neighbours over three weekends in June and July. Residents are being invited to hold street parties for the Big Lunch on the weekend of Saturday 1st/Sunday 2nd June, The Great Get Together on Saturday 22nd/Sunday 23rd June and Reading Summer Street Party Weekend on Saturday 6th/Sunday 7th July. The Big Lunch is held every year to encourage as many people as possible to have lunch with their neighbours in a simple act of community, friendship and fun. The Great Get Together is a chance for communities up and down the country to get together to celebrate kindness, respect and all we have in common, and was inspired by MP Jo Cox who was killed in June 2016. The Reading Summer Street Party Weekend is an extra opportunity for local communities and neighbours to spend some time together.

Councillor Tony Page, Reading’s Lead Councillor for Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport, said:

“It is important to recognise the many things we all have in common and to come together to celebrate our communities. “We often only catch a glimpse of our neighbours as we go about our every-day business so this is an opportunity to stop and get to know the people living in our street. “As in previous years, the Council is keen to help enable these street parties by waiving the usual road closure fees and I would encourage residents to get their applications in as soon as possible.” Anyone who wishes to apply to hold a street party on any of the specified weekends should complete the form available at www.reading.gov.uk/streetparties and send it to: Street Parties, Communications Department, Reading Borough Council, Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading, RG1 2LU. Permission will normally be given, without the usual road-closure fees, subject to it not affecting a main through-route or public transport route. The deadline for applications is 22nd April 2019. Helpful tips, advice and support for organising a successful event can be found on the Street Party website www.streetparty.org.uk and The Big Lunch website www.thebiglunch.com. ENDS