ICM - Leeds Design Agency

I like to talk and reminisce about my childhood in the 70’s and how things have changed, some for the good and some not so.

Street parties happened occasionally and mainly for celebratory events, the best one I can remember was for the Queens Jubilee. This seemed to be a time when everyone had pride in their community, knew everyone on their street or village and loved their country. Do you know people on your street? Do you even know your neighbour?

The Big Lunch Party is a campaign to get everyone to organise a street party this Sunday 19th July.

The idea of a Big Lunch was dreamed up by Tim Smit and Paul Twivy from the Eden Project in Cornwall. They explain: “Basically, it’s a party in your street, in everyone’s street. On 19th July we’re asking the people of Britain to stop what they’re doing and sit down to lunch together. Why? Well for lots of reasons really but mainly to put a smile back on Britain’s face.”

An extract from the website says: “Most of us are shy, many of us lead single lives and even when we are together often go our own way. We all know about the problems in our society and don’t need to be preached at about them. But inside almost everyone there is a notion that despite our differences, the ties that bind us are important.”

I find it strange in these days of social networking when you think nothing of welcoming complete strangers to your Facebook/Myspace page or have them follow you on Twitter the concept of actual physical interaction scares us.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the whole Social Media revolution and the changes we are seeing in all aspects of our lives from choosing a holiday to buying a fridge all based on online community discussion sites / forums.

Hey! Here’s a new concept – lets get something back, lets get social interaction working offline as well as online!