There was a festival atmosphere in Woodside Road, Tonbridge on Saturday when the residents held another ‘Big Lunch’ – which this year coincided with The Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations.
This was the fifth year running that Woodside Road has taken part in the event, which is part of a national initiative to encourage people to get to know their neighbours.
More than 50 people enjoyed a street party on Saturday, which involved each household contributing food to the community event.
Among the guests was Jacques Arnold, a Deputy Lieutenant of Kent, who passed on a message of thanks from The Queen in gratitude of everyone holding parties to commemorate her landmark birthday.
Resident Lesley Penney felt everyone had a great time despite the weather threatening to put a dampener on the street’s festivities.
She said: “It is just an informal street party, but we’ve done this for the past five years now and it’s a good chance for people to meet their neighbours, which isn’t something you normally have the chance to do these days.
“The event was led by resident Harriet Mackinlay, and we had all ages come to join in the celebrations, which included a royal bake-off as well as face painting.”
