Hundreds flocked to Chepstow castle on Father’s Day Sunday for Chepstow’s biggest ever “Big Lunch“. One of thousands of such events taking place nationally, it was the first time Chepstow as a whole came together for a Big Lunch. Gifted with glorious weather, the occasion proved a real joy for locals to get together and offered many exciting activities and entertainment. Highlights included live music ranging from Chepstow Male Voice Choir to Offa’s Tykes Ukulele Band, as well as hands-on activities including crafts for children and fun tennis games organised by Chepstow Tennis Club.
Locals were invited to prepare their own picnics to bring along and enjoy together on the grass inside Chepstow Castle. Impressively, half an hour into the big lunch, the lower bailey was bustling with adults, children, dogs, picnic blankets, chairs and of course lots of food! Prizes awarded on the day by Transition Chepstow included Best Historical, Best Green and Best Healthy Picnic, kindly sponsored by Herbert Lewis Department Store, Stone Rock Pizza and Marks&Spencer.
Many interesting local groups participated in the event, including Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) who brought along some of their brand new rescue equipment, St John’s On-the-Hill school who provided two bouncy castles and a re-usable bottle top environmental collage, and Chepstow Fair Trade Forum who provided a “hook your own fairtrade banana” activity.
Transition Chepstow organised this event to bring out a sense of community in a celebration for the 950th birthday of Chepstow, the Castle and Priory, as well as 10 years since Chepstow became a Transition Town. The Big Lunch is also part of the UK-wide Great Get Together of over 100,000 local community events to commemorate the life and achievements of Jo Cox MP, who was murdered on June 16th last year.
Chepstow’s Big Lunch was kindly supported by the 950 celebration group, Cadw, and local groups and volunteers who stepped up to help on the day, including Chepstow Society, Chepstow Rotary Club, and Garden City Community Group.
Other groups present: St John Ambulance Caldicot Division, The Drill Hall project, Monmouth and District NCT, CHIP Chepstow, Jez Becker, Gwent Wildlife Trust, Gwent Energy CIC, Chepstow Walkers are Welcome, Youth Coffee Shop at Bulwark Community Centre, Community Connections Befriending Scheme, Chepstow Child and Family Therapy Centre, and 1st Bulwark Scouts.
Other choirs and bands that performed on the day: Chepstow Musical Youth Theatre, Chepstow Choral Society, Chepstow Community Choir and Jig of Slurs (Folk Band).
Many thanks to all that joined in!
