Big Lunch hit by unseasonal weather

The nationwide project was aimed at getting neighbours together in the tradition of Jubilee street parties.

"Whilst there are a significant minority of communities that are closely-knit and act as a beacon for neighbourliness, many of Britain's communities are, at best, anonymous" claimed the national organisers.

Bankside Open Spaces Trust staged a Big Lunch at the Brookwood Triangle opposite The Bell in Webber Street where a vegetable garden and wheatfield were on show.

At All Hallows Garden in Copperfield Street a small group of residents put up a notice announcing that "the show will go on" despite any rain.

Meanwhile the most successful event was the Colombianamente being held in Bernie Spain Gardens where Colombians formed a long queue for their traditional Sunday lunch.

Businesses and organisations backing The Big Lunch included the SE1-based Campaign for Rural England and Divine Chocolate. Living Streets which has an active local branch was also backed the initiative.