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North Wales Live
4 days ago
- General
- North Wales Live
Pub chain plans to bring people together for Big Lunch campaign as research reveals increasing community disconnect
As the digital shift takes its toll on community spirit, new research has revealed that 30% of people in London feel disconnected to their community and 17% have never even spent time with their local community. However, London folk could have a unique solution…and it's served with a side of mushy peas! The research from the UK's leading pub company and brewer, Greene King, reveals that the simple joy of heading to the local pub for a fish and chips lunch could be the ultimate remedy for community disconnection. The iconic British dish has been crowned London's favourite lunch (32%) when socialising. As a response to these findings, Greene King has partnered with the Eden Project for The Big Lunch (7–8 June) — a nationwide event designed to bring neighbours and communities together to connect and build friendships. In fact, 22% of people in London revealed that the pub is one of the few places they can still truly connect with their community. Food was also hailed as the most important driver for togetherness, with a staggering 76% of people agreeing that sharing a meal is the number one reason to create more moments to socialise. With this in mind, Greene King is on a mission to bring communities around London back together one dish at a time by supporting The Big Lunch, helping people rediscover the joy of shared moments, whether it's with old friends or new faces from across the street. Entering the second year of its partnership, Greene King will be hosting events at many of its managed pubs throughout June, including community get togethers and giveaways. To find out what is going on at your local pub, visit here. Andrew Bush, Chief Experience Officer at Greene King, said: 'Our research shows that 80% of London believes that food is the most important part of a social gathering. And with 22% of people choosing to socialise in the pub, it really does show the important role that both of these things can play in bringing people together. 'However, even surrounded by huge communities it's easy to feel alone, which is why The Big Lunch is the perfect opportunity for connection - whether it's with neighbours, old friends, or someone new. "We encourage everyone to check out the website to see what's happening at their local Greene King pub and join us for great food and even better company.' Lindsey Brummitt, Programme Director at The Eden Project, said: 'This marks our second year partnering with Greene King for The Big Lunch, with their support again offering people a wonderful chance to get together, share delicious food and make new friends in our communities. "Following last year's success, which saw communities across London come together to share friendship, food and fun, we hope even more people join in The Big Lunch this year on 7 and 8 June. 'The Big Lunch is a fantastic way to reach out and make valuable social connections, especially given over a quarter of people in the UK (27%) report a sense of disconnection as Greene King's recent research has discovered.'
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Pub chain plans to bring people together for Big Lunch campaign as research reveals increasing community disconnect
Pub chain plans to bring people together for Big Lunch campaign as research reveals increasing community disconnect The research from the UK's leading pub company and brewer, Greene King, reveals that the simple joy of heading to the local pub for a fish and chips lunch could be the ultimate remedy for community disconnection. 22% of people in London revealed that the pub is one of the few places they can still truly connect with their community. As the digital shift takes its toll on community spirit, new research has revealed that 30% of people in London feel disconnected to their community and 17% have never even spent time with their local community. However, London folk could have a unique solution…and it's served with a side of mushy peas! The research from the UK's leading pub company and brewer, Greene King, reveals that the simple joy of heading to the local pub for a fish and chips lunch could be the ultimate remedy for community disconnection. The iconic British dish has been crowned London's favourite lunch (32%) when socialising. As a response to these findings, Greene King has partnered with the Eden Project for The Big Lunch (7–8 June) — a nationwide event designed to bring neighbours and communities together to connect and build friendships. In fact, 22% of people in London revealed that the pub is one of the few places they can still truly connect with their community. Food was also hailed as the most important driver for togetherness, with a staggering 76% of people agreeing that sharing a meal is the number one reason to create more moments to socialise. With this in mind, Greene King is on a mission to bring communities around London back together one dish at a time by supporting The Big Lunch, helping people rediscover the joy of shared moments, whether it's with old friends or new faces from across the street. The simple joy of heading to the local pub for a fish and chips lunch could be the ultimate remedy for community disconnection. Entering the second year of its partnership, Greene King will be hosting events at many of its managed pubs throughout June, including community get togethers and giveaways. To find out what is going on at your local pub, visit here. Andrew Bush, Chief Experience Officer at Greene King, said: 'Our research shows that 80% of London believes that food is the most important part of a social gathering. And with 22% of people choosing to socialise in the pub, it really does show the important role that both of these things can play in bringing people together. 'However, even surrounded by huge communities it's easy to feel alone, which is why The Big Lunch is the perfect opportunity for connection - whether it's with neighbours, old friends, or someone new. "We encourage everyone to check out the website to see what's happening at their local Greene King pub and join us for great food and even better company.' Greene King will be hosting events at many of its managed pubs throughout June, including community get togethers and giveaway Lindsey Brummitt, Programme Director at The Eden Project, said: 'This marks our second year partnering with Greene King for The Big Lunch, with their support again offering people a wonderful chance to get together, share delicious food and make new friends in our communities. Article continues below "Following last year's success, which saw communities across London come together to share friendship, food and fun, we hope even more people join in The Big Lunch this year on 7 and 8 June. 'The Big Lunch is a fantastic way to reach out and make valuable social connections, especially given over a quarter of people in the UK (27%) report a sense of disconnection as Greene King's recent research has discovered.' To find out what is going on in your area, visit:
Scotsman
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
The Big Lunch returns: How to join the celebration
The Big Lunch is the UK's annual get-together for neighbours and communities Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Big Lunch is back on June 7 and 8, with the chance to join millions of people across the UK sharing friendship, food and fun. The event is all about feeding community spirit, creating a chance to reach out and meet new people, and to get to know familiar faces better. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Research shows taking part in The Big Lunch helps people feel less lonely, and that those who join in go on to do more in their community – from a wee neighbourly act of kindness to fundraising and volunteering for local causes. Communities are being invited to plan parties for The Big Lunch 2025 | The Big Lunch The Big Lunch also encourages climate action with 79% of people taking part saying they are more likely to help the environment too. People are the key ingredient and we all have something to share – whether that's serving up a delicious dish, having a wee chat or bringing music and laughter. The Big Lunch helps increase a sense of belonging, making the places where we live feel friendlier and safer and giving us a chance to make new connections. An idea from the Eden Project, it has been made possible thanks to the support of Pears Foundation and corporate partners Co-op and Greene King. Grainne McCloskey, of Eden Project in Scotland and Northern Ireland, said: 'The Big Lunch is easy, it's fun and it's for everyone so help get involved and make your community the place to be this June. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It's an opportunity to get together, make new friends, share delicious food and have some much-needed fun so get yourself a resource pack on our website and get your party planning started.' The Big Lunch has been bringing millions of people together in a nationwide act of friendship every year since it launched in 2009. In the next couple of weeks, the organiser will be sharing competitions and collaborations with its partners Co-op and Greene King which will help invite even more people to tuck in. What can I do to join the Big Lunch? There are lots of ways you can get involved. Here are just a few ideas: Suggest a sharing table where every guest is invited to bring along a dish to enjoy together. Everyone can show off their cooking skills and try something new and delicious at the same time. where every guest is invited to bring along a dish to enjoy together. Everyone can show off their cooking skills and try something new and delicious at the same time. Get crafty and make your own bunting by decorating individual paper triangles and combining them with ribbon to make a colourful string. and make your own bunting by decorating individual paper triangles and combining them with ribbon to make a colourful string. Get the street grooving and ask every household to suggest a few songs to add to a communal playlist. You'll soon see people of all ages on their feet! and ask every household to suggest a few songs to add to a communal playlist. You'll soon see people of all ages on their feet! Be kind to the planet and encourage everyone to bring their own plate and cutlery instead of buying disposables – as well as containers to take any leftover food home. and encourage everyone to bring their own plate and cutlery instead of buying disposables – as well as containers to take any leftover food home. Do some good by popping a collection bucket out at your Big Lunch so that you can raise money for a local cause that could do with a boost. Or fundraise for the Eden Project, to connect people and nature, and restore a happy planet.
Scotsman
18-05-2025
- General
- Scotsman
The Big Lunch returns: How to join the celebration
The Big Lunch is the UK's annual get-together for neighbours and communities Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Big Lunch is back on June 7 and 8, with the chance to join millions of people across the UK sharing friendship, food and fun. The event is all about feeding community spirit, creating a chance to reach out and meet new people, and to get to know familiar faces better. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Research shows taking part in The Big Lunch helps people feel less lonely, and that those who join in go on to do more in their community – from a wee neighbourly act of kindness to fundraising and volunteering for local causes. Communities are being invited to plan parties for The Big Lunch 2025 | The Big Lunch The Big Lunch also encourages climate action with 79% of people taking part saying they are more likely to help the environment too. People are the key ingredient and we all have something to share – whether that's serving up a delicious dish, having a wee chat or bringing music and laughter. The Big Lunch helps increase a sense of belonging, making the places where we live feel friendlier and safer and giving us a chance to make new connections. An idea from the Eden Project, it has been made possible thanks to the support of Pears Foundation and corporate partners Co-op and Greene King. Grainne McCloskey, of Eden Project in Scotland and Northern Ireland, said: 'The Big Lunch is easy, it's fun and it's for everyone so help get involved and make your community the place to be this June. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It's an opportunity to get together, make new friends, share delicious food and have some much-needed fun so get yourself a resource pack on our website and get your party planning started.' The Big Lunch has been bringing millions of people together in a nationwide act of friendship every year since it launched in 2009. In the next couple of weeks, the organiser will be sharing competitions and collaborations with its partners Co-op and Greene King which will help invite even more people to tuck in. What can I do to join the Big Lunch? There are lots of ways you can get involved. Here are just a few ideas: Suggest a sharing table where every guest is invited to bring along a dish to enjoy together. Everyone can show off their cooking skills and try something new and delicious at the same time. where every guest is invited to bring along a dish to enjoy together. Everyone can show off their cooking skills and try something new and delicious at the same time. Get crafty and make your own bunting by decorating individual paper triangles and combining them with ribbon to make a colourful string. and make your own bunting by decorating individual paper triangles and combining them with ribbon to make a colourful string. Get the street grooving and ask every household to suggest a few songs to add to a communal playlist. You'll soon see people of all ages on their feet! and ask every household to suggest a few songs to add to a communal playlist. You'll soon see people of all ages on their feet! Be kind to the planet and encourage everyone to bring their own plate and cutlery instead of buying disposables – as well as containers to take any leftover food home. and encourage everyone to bring their own plate and cutlery instead of buying disposables – as well as containers to take any leftover food home. Do some good by popping a collection bucket out at your Big Lunch so that you can raise money for a local cause that could do with a boost. Or fundraise for the Eden Project, to connect people and nature, and restore a happy planet. For free resources and ideas for decorations, plus delicious shareable recipes and free event packs to get your party started, visit the Eden Project website.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Oxford woman launches nationwide recipe search
AN Oxford woman is helping to launch a nationwide recipe search. The Big Lunch, an annual celebration for neighbourhoods and communities, is on the hunt for hidden culinary gems and the stories behind them. Emily Connally is preparing to submit her entry and is encouraging others to do the same. The initiative comes in response to new research revealing that many Brits are in a cooking rut, with a lack of ideas discouraging them from trying new recipes. The survey, conducted by YouGov, found that almost one in seven UK adults never cook a completely new recipe, while a quarter of people are put off cooking from scratch due to a lack of inspiration. The search aims to find the nation's favourite dishes to inspire people to try something new in the kitchen and share their creations at The Big Lunch events in June. Entrants are encouraged to submit their go-to dishes, quirky childhood favourites, and top crowd-pleasers, along with the stories behind them. Emily Connally, founder of Cherwell Collective, a community interest company working to reduce carbon footprints, plans to share her 'climatarian burger' recipe. This dish, a mix of beef and grated mushroom, is designed to cut down meat consumption while retaining flavour. Ms Connally said: "When I heard about The Big Lunch Recipe Search I immediately thought of my climatarian burger recipe, which is a signature dish at every Cherwell Collective Big Lunch. "It's the perfect recipe to bring people together because it cuts a typical burger's meat in half, bringing veggies and meat eaters closer together." The search is supported by celebrity chefs Ainsley Harriott and Dame Prue Leith. Dame Prue said: "The Big Lunch Recipe Search is more than just a way of finding and rewarding the people behind the UK's best home recipes. "It is an invitation to people everywhere to join in with The Big Lunch and share food and friendship together." Harriott added: "It's all about hunting down hidden culinary gems. "We want to hear about food that brings people together and is great for sharing." Home cooks who submit their recipes have the chance to be featured in a Big Lunch online cookbook and shared at thousands of Big Lunch events across the UK in June. Five finalists will be invited to a special Big Lunch event in May, with one home cook winning a hamper of goodies to help with their own Big Lunch event. To find out more and share your favourite recipes, visit
