An event will take place in Aberdeen this weekend ahead of The Big Lunch later this year
Aberdeen is getting set for a huge community event.
Cultivate Aberdeen and Eden Project Communities, the team behind The Big Lunch, are teaming up to celebrate the St Fitticks Edible Garden and launch The Big Lunch 2020 campaign in Aberdeen.
Eden Project Communities Scotland team is inviting everyone to come to the Old Torry Community Centre to learn about Cultivate Aberdeen’s plans for this exciting new space and to meet other like-minded people for a cuppa and a chat.
As the nights get a bit longer and the summer begins to feel a little closer the Eden Project team are embarking on journeys to communities across Scotland to talk about The Big Lunch and for the first time they have teamed up with Cultivate Aberdeen to celebrate all things edible and local with this event Growing Community. Eden Project Communities is co-hosting this event, officially launching plans to bring The Big Lunch 2020 to communities and neighbourhoods across Aberdeen.
Sophie Bridger, Scotland country manager, Eden Project Communities said: “At a time where many people feel society is divided, it's more important than ever that we find ways to connect with our neighbours and our community. The Big Lunch brings millions of people together in the first weekend in June to have fun and get to know each other better. Last year over 4.5 million people took part, making new friendships and getting together with their neighbours. We're looking forward to even more joining us this year!”
The afternoon, which takes place on Sunday (8 March), will gather neighbours to the Old Torry Community Centre and the site of the new St Fittick’s Edible Garden, bringing together gardening communities and interested people from across the city. The Big Lunch, an idea from the Eden Project, made possible by the National Lottery will be introduced by Community Network Developer, Mo Odling, and opportunities to sign up to The Big Lunch will be paired with a hot soup lunch provided by local heroes the Go Green Cafe.
Mo Odling, community network developer, Eden Project Communities, said: “I’m delighted to be collaborating with Cultivate Aberdeen on this event. It’s a case of like minds do great work, and the team involved have a real passion for this garden. Project’s such as St Fittick’s Edible Garden are perfect examples of community in action, and this garden is set to be somewhere which won’t just grow food but act as a place to gather, share and learn. The Big Lunch will be bringing all kinds of people together to support their neighbourhood to celebrate positive change, and highlighting this project will be inspirational to people from across Aberdeen.”
Weather permitting the afternoon will include a tour of the site, where members of Cultivate Aberdeen will share their plans with a walkthrough of the ideas that they have and if the weather is too cold or wet, the Big Lunch team will offer the option of making native wildflower seed bombs for everyone to take home.
No Big Lunch event would be complete without sharing some food, so soup and bread will be provided by the Go Green Café.
The Big Lunch is the UK's annual celebration for neighbours, and this event encapsulates everything The Big Lunch is about; gathering people to share positive experiences with food and space to connect. This year the Scotland Eden Project Community team are hoping to see as many Big Lunches across Aberdeen as possible, so head along and find out how you can get involved.
The event is on Sunday 8 March from 2pm to 5pm, and is free to book on Eventbrite. If you have any questions, get in touch with Mo Odling, by emailing modling@edenproject.com for more details.