Costume party brings people of all ages together for a Fairytale Big Lunch

A fairytale-themed costume party has been held in Derry in a bid to build community links between people of different ages. Locals on Farland Way, as well as other groups such as the COSY Club (Citizens of Senior Years), gathered together for a street party also attended by Seputy Mayor Jim McKeever and Councillors Shauna Cusack and Eric McGinley. Organiser Margaret Cunningham, who works on the street for Habinteg Housing and is North West ambassador for the Big Lunch, said the event was a great success.

She said: “It was very well attended, despite the weather – and it was so much fun that everyone forgot it was raining.

“The people there made it work, there was a lot of laughter. “The idea was to bring different groups of people together, with lots of different ages, and to therefore bring the local community closer together.

“Using costumes was my idea because it puts everyone on the same level, it’s a great ice breaker. The event was about sharing and becoming more comfortable with each other – and resulted in a lot of happy, smiling faces.” Now in its eighth year, The Big Lunch is an idea from the Eden Project, made possible by the Big Lottery Fund, that aims to get as many people as possible to have lunch with their neighbours in a simple act of community, friendship and fun. Photo shows (from left) Danny McName, Margaret Cunningham, Kelly Doherty, Rose McCormick, Majella Dillin and Kathleen Kerr enjoying the Fairytale Big Lunch.