You are welcome to The Big Lunch

Forres Area Community Trust (FACT) is hosting the Big Lunch on Sunday, June 3 from 1-3pm – organiser Kirsty Williams hopes as many people as possible take the opportunity to meet each other and make new friends.

She said: “Being part of a connected community means knowing who you live next to; saying hello, smiling, waving and stopping for a chat from time to time. Ultimately, connected communities are residents who look out for each other.”

There will be games including, giant Jenga, skittles, draughts, welly wanging and People Bingo.

Kirsty added: “Cameron Court and Varis Court residents, members of the OAP Association and The Cameron Project clients and volunteers are all making bunting to decorate the marquee.

“The community is already contributing – the support is overwhelming.”

The Big Lunch, organised by the Eden Project, is the UK’s largest annual community get-together. The idea is that, for a few hours, cars and shyness will stop and folk will come together to meet, greet, play games, sing, and laugh.

Last year, 9.3 million people took to their streets, gardens and neighbourhoods across the UK to join in.

Around 100 Forres folk enjoyed the local event at Transition Town Forres.

This year, the Big Lunch coincides with Volunteers Week so attendees will also be celebrating all the volunteers who make our area such a vibrant community.

Kirsty said: “We want as many as possible to join in so they can get a special thank you for all that they do. Many groups would simply not exist if it wasn’t for the volunteers who so willingly give their time. Now it is the community’s turn to thank them all.”

Volunteers for any group or third sector organisation in the Forres Area are welcome.

Tea, coffee and juice will be provided but FACT ask that attendees bring along picnic food to share such as sandwiches and home bakes, as well as blankets or chairs.

The Big Lunch will be near the play area in Grant Park.

For more information email kirsty@forresarea.org or call 01309 674388.