What is The Big Jubilee Lunch?

WHAT is a celebration without food? Nothing, and that is why the Platinum Jubilee celebrations are rounding off with a Big Jubilee Lunch.

This is all about the Big Jubilee Lunch and what you need to know about hosting one.

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What is the Big Jubilee Lunch?

Since it first launched in 2009, the annual Big Lunch, an idea of the Eden Project, has encouraged communities to come together and host street parties in the spirit of friendship.

Every summer, neighbours across the UK organise picnics, lunches on the street, barbecues and gatherings, to get to know each other better.

This year, as part of the celebrations marking The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, people are encouraged “to share friendship, food and fun with neighbours” during The Big Jubilee Lunch on June 5, 2022.

Similar events took place in the summer of 2012, in celebration of The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Thousands of communities have already expressed interest in taking part, with more than 1400 registered so far.

The organisers encourage everyone to join in on the neighbourly fun, pointing out that it can be anything from “a small gathering in a garden, park or driveway, to a larger party with trestle tables down the middle of your street.”

Do you need a license to hold a Big Jubilee Lunch street party?

If you’re thinking of organising a street party to mark The Queen’s 70-year reign, you need to make sure to obtain the relevant permissions in advance.

The best way to do that is to contact your local council 12 or more weeks before the event takes place, as it can take some time for the request to be processed.

For this year’s Jubilee lunch, this means getting in touch with the council in mid-March latest.

In England and Wales, you can apply to organise a street party through the Government’s website.

If the alcohol at the event is provided for free, no license is needed.

As for food, there’s no need for a license up to 11pm, but that might change if celebrations run late.

In Scotland, contacting your local council‘s Roads and Communities department is the best way to go about obtaining permission.

However, if you are in an area where alcohol is prohibited in ‘public places’, you and your neighbours may have to stick to drinking and eating on private property, such as a garden or a driveway.

The parties also don’t usually require a licence, unless they count as a ‘display’, ‘demonstration’, ‘concert’, or selling alcohol.

Where is the Windsor Big Jubilee Lunch being held?

Prince Edward and his wife Sophie led the Windsor Big Jubilee Lunch on June 5.

The Earl and Countess of Wessex sat along with others at a “Long Table” down on the Long Walk leading up to Windsor Castle.

The couple hopes to break the world record for the longest dinner table, having 488 put together outside the Berkshire residence.

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