Big Lunch: Shrubland Road street party is first in residents’ living memory

Great cakes: residents survey the baked goods on display

Shrubland Road residents held their first street party in living memory yesterday, Sunday 12 June.

The road, located off London Fields, was closed off for a day of family-friendly activities, including face-painting, a disco and barbecue.

The party, part of national initiative the Big Lunch 2016, was a fun-packed occasion for the whole street to come together and get to know each other better.

John Hamilton, aged 81, has been a Shrubland Road resident for 50 years.

He said: “This was the first time the whole community has had a party together since I moved here back in 1966.

“The Street Party represents a really positive change in the area that’s been building for some years. I remember 30 years ago people would say ‘don’t go down Shrubland Road!'”

Hanging out: children and parents by the bouncy castle

The event was planned and organised by the Tenants and Residents’ Association and started at midday with a Children’s Party, with salad growing, face painting, games, a bouncy castle, pavement chalking and yoga.

Then in the afternoon the party got into full swing with its official opening at 2pm.

Residents brought a dish to share with their neighbours (including the cockney staple of jellied eels).

There was also a barbecue, a kids’ disco with local residents DJ-ing, a cake competition and tour of the community grow boxes.

The party came to a close at 6pm, allowing the road to get back to normality.

There was a good turn out as residents young and old turned out for a fun-filled afternoon – although at one point rain threatened to mar the event.

Mr Hamilton said: “The party will do a hell of a lot of good – for Shrubland Road, Hackney, and for the wider area too. Let’s hope this becomes an annual event!”

Downpour: partygoers shelter from the rain