ORGANISERS of a summer feast in Greenford are preparing to make the fifth annual Big Lunch the best one yet.

Launched in 2009 by the Eden Project, Big Lunch 2013 aims to get as many people across the UK as possible to sit down with their neighbours for a meal on the first Sunday in June.

Holy Cross Church in Oldfield Lane is hosting a large gathering of to share a meal and get to know their neighbours on June 2.

This is the second year the church has taken part in Big Lunch, and assistant warden Jill Marsh is part of the team putting the event together.

She said: “We really wanted to draw more people from the community together for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee last year and to join in all the excitement.

“That was one of the most successful event’s we’ve had for a long time, with everyone bringing chairs and food along on the day.

“There were lots of people meeting each other for the first time, and everybody seemed to enjoy themselves.

“These days too many people stay in their house and watch telly. What was so good last year was that so many people wanted to take part.”

Since 2009, thousands of Big Lunches have taken place, with 8.5 million people joining in last summer’s feast.

The Big Lunch, an initiative led by the Eden Project and partnered by Halifax, aims to bring communities together and create a feel-good factor in British towns.

A host of people are expected to take part on June 2, on what will be the 60th anniversary of the Queen’s coronation.

The Holy Cross Big Lunch runs from noon to 5pm, and Jill Marsh is urging local residents to come along and get involved.

“We will decorate the church the night before, and there will be lots of games and competitions for all the children to take part in,” she added.

The Rev Neil Richardson is retiring after 30 years and it will probably be one of the last events he comes to.

“Last year we had a couple of hundred people come along and it would be nice to have a similar number this year,” said Jill

As the proud partner of the Big Lunch, an existing community initiative led by the Eden Project, Halifax is inviting you to get involved and host your own Big Lunch on Sunday, June 2. To find out more or request your free Big Lunch 2013 pack, visit www.thebiglunch.com