Street parties are a good way to meet your neighbours and build community spirit, and Exbourne Road started doing Street Parties back in 2011, and 29th June 2014 was their fourth year.
Normally, Exbourne Road has cars parked down both sides, but the road closure meant that it looked as it did in the 1950s. Back then the children could play in the street: football, cricket with painted stumps on a wall, British Bulldog, and Roller Skating in the Prince of Wales Carpark.
Bunting is of course essential for a Street Party.
For the four hours the road was closed there was lots going on. Ashnah performed.
As did Mr Hemmings Traditional Morris Dancers.
There was a talk about the history of the street by the two longest staying residents – one of whom had been there in the 1950s, and her family from the 1930s. “Exbourne Terrace, was build in 1875, and the other side added in 1905.”
There was a bun throwing competition, and other sports, and A Naffle: that is where all the prizes are naff but you must take them home. Then there was Guess Who? Numbered pictures showed the residents as young children.
Thanks to Clare for the invitation, and also Lucy, Matthew, Harry, and Penny who did a lot of the organising.
What a great idea. Glad to see that community spirit is thriving. I would love something where I live.
Cassandra, the only way to start something like that is to start it! Talk to your neighbours and hatch a plan over a cup of tea 🙂
Yes! Make it happen! We’ve had one every year up on The Motte since 2011 – often we time it to coincide with the Big Lunch, which has some great advice on organising street parties.
It needne’t be too formal to start off with – we just picked a date and asked people to ‘bring a chair and food to share’.