Street Party Organisers Urged to Act Now to Meet Deadline

COMMUNITIES wishing to hold street parties this summer are being reminded to send in their applications now to avoid paying the usual road closure fees.

This year, Reading Borough Council is giving residents the opportunity to hold street parties over five weekends as part of the national Big Lunch Weekend, to celebrate the Royal Wedding and to take part in the Great Get Together. But applications must be sent into the Council by Friday 20th April to take advantage of the special offer to waive the usual fees on those weekends. The available weekends are 19th & 20th May; 2nd & 3rd June; 16th & 17th June; 23rd & 24th June and 30th June & 1st July. The first weekend is to celebrate the official Royal Wedding, the second coincides with the official dates for this year’s Big Lunch, the third dates are for those who wanted to celebrate the Big Lunch outside of Ramadan and the fourth and fifth weekends are for those who want to get involved with this year’s Great Get Together. Residents wishing to apply to hold a street party for any of the above dates can complete the form at www.reading.gov.uk/streetparties. Completed forms should be sent to: Street Parties, Communications Department, Reading Borough Council, Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading, RG1 2LU or sent by email to lucy.daniels@reading.gov.uk. The Council will need to know the date and time of the proposed event, the name of the road or section of road that needs to be closed and whether it is part of a bus route or used by through traffic. Permission will be granted subject to the road not being a main through route or a public transport route.

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

“Communities planning to hold a street party this summer need to get their applications in before 20th April to avoid paying the usual street closure fees. “Reading joins in the national Big Lunch weekend every year and the Council waives its fees to encourage as many people as possible to enjoy lunch with their neighbours in an act of friendship and community. “This year, the Council is extending the offer to five weekends to ensure all residents can celebrate the Big Lunch, the Royal Wedding and the Great Get Together but organisers must act quickly and send in their applications.” For further ideas or help in planning your Street Party please visit the Big Lunch or Street Party official websites at www.edenprojectcommunities.com/thebiglunch and www.streetparty.org.uk

Notes to Editors

Independent research carried out annually shows that: · 88% of Big Lunch organisers held a Big Lunch to encourage a sense of community · 47% of Big Lunch organisers report feeling less isolated as a result of their event · 91% felt their Big Lunch brought different generations together · 65% feel it reinforced relationships with people in their community · 90% met new people · 77% created new relationships they wish to continue · 74% feel a stronger sense of community