Residents join in Midhurst street party

Residents of Ashfield Road need no encouragement to join in the fun PICTURE BY KATE SHEMILT

And on Sunday they were out in force to prove it.

The Big Lunch is an Eden Project event lottery funded and sponsored by Asda and the Halifax which takes place annually across the country on the first Sunday in June.

Ashfield Road resident Catherine Holmes recreated the atmosphere of the street parties of times gone by organising a road closure order with Chichester District Council and Big Lunch packs from the national organisers.

Resident Peter Tinson said: “Cars were moved, the bunting was hung out and many people took the opportunity to sweep the street ready for the  party.

“Dead on noon the signs for the road closure went up and the tables were set out in the middle of the road.”

Peter, Owen Sparey and Catherine set up rival barbecues at each end of the road cooking chicken, sausages and burgers.

“The normally quite busy road echoed to the sounds of laughter and children playing in the street.

“It was a unique opportunity for people to chat and have a meal and a drink with friends, but also with neighbours they often only see in passing.”

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