Farland Way residents enjoy their tenth annual Big Lunch

The neighbours look forward to this date each year from grandparent to grandchild everyone has fun together so when lockdown left it looking like it would be cancelled children were feeling very disappointed.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane council Brian Tierney said: “This is a fantastic community initiative residents getting to know each other more and making strong bonds that really make a difference at times like these.”

Habinteg Housing support officer Margaret Cunningham who organises The Big Lunch each year said: “We thought we might have to cancel but then the children started asking about it and really wanted it to go ahead.

“Sure when you have a four-year-old phoning you to come out and play, you know you need to make it happen. So with financial support from Habinteg Housing we delivered groceries to houses in Farland Way, Inch View and St Eithnes and organised for residents to make their own lunch and virtually connect at the same time.

“We shared a video of previous years fun and enjoyed the memories.

“The community spirit in this area has been overwhelming during lockdown and we have come to value the small things like conversation with your neighbour all the more. I have held online picnics with local residents and we have had the Easter bunny visit the children in the area, who knows what we will get up to together next!

“ I’m glad we didn’t cancel The Big Lunch we had great fun.

“Habinteg have participated in The Big Lunch for ten years and have a virtual lunch organised for residents across Northern Ireland organised by Margaret for Monday. Habinteg prioritise homes lives and community,” said Margaret.

The Big Lunch, an idea from the Eden Project, made possible by The National Lottery, usually attracts millions of people across the UK. Last year over six million people took part in 100,000 Big Lunch events.

This summer for the first time in its ten-year history, The Big Lunch became The Big ‘Virtual’ Lunch, with events running online, on the phone and on the doorstep from 6-7 June.