Celebrating Chichester’s Community at the Coronation Big Lunch

Banners and bunting will be flying high at Graylingwell Chapel green, where Chichester’s residents are invited to celebrate the coronation weekend at the incredible Big Lunch street party planned for Sunday 7th May, from 11am to 3pm.  Hosted by Chichester Community Development Trust the party is free for all to attend and will include live music, bouncy castles, craft, face painting stalls and more.  The event is sponsored by Wellington Grange Care Home as part of their fantastic ongoing support for the local community. 

Visitors to the Big Lunch will be able to pre-order hog roast burgers including apple sauce, halloumi burger or vegan BBQ Jack fruit burger via The Chapel’s What’s On page of the website.  There will be a licensed bar, hot and cold drinks and lots of sweet treats and tasty food options for visitors to enjoy.  There will be live music throughout the event, and stalls providing entertainment for families and the wider community including face painting, hair braiding and a stall offering craft activities connected to the Coronation hosted by Wellington Grange.

Those attending will be able to appreciate the beautiful outside green, as well as enjoy the Chapel’s interior which will be open to provide additional spaces for people to meet, eat, drink and enjoy themselves, as well as take in the fascinating exhibition on the history of Graylingwell Hospital, or let the kids explore the pre-school interactive play area.  

Comments Clare de Bathe, CCDT’s Director, “It’s so important for us all to be able to come together in this fantastic celebration of both the coronation and of community at this time.  Life is so challenging for so many people with the cost of living crisis which makes it all the more important for the community to simply connect and enjoy themselves at this special, once-in-a-generation event.  It’s something that we’ll all remember for years to come, and we are so grateful to Wellington Grange for helping to make this celebration possible.”

Hayley Geddes, Home Manager at Wellington Grange residential and nursing home, said: “We’re looking forward to joining old friends, and meeting new ones, at the fabulous Graylingwell Chapel community celebration. The Coronation Big Lunch promises to be a colourful, fun way to come together on this most historic of Royal occasions. We have residents who were children during the reign of the last King and can still remember the Queen’s Coronation in 1953. They will be only too happy to share their memories while enjoying all the festivities on the day. We support Graylingwell Chapel because it is a fantastic community project so close to our home, offering our residents the opportunity to go out and mix with others and have lots of fun.” 

Claire Robinson, Partnerships Co-ordinator at Chichester Community Development Trust, said: “We are extremely grateful to Wellington Grange and its residents for their support. It’s wonderful that residents will be spending time here, along with other groups from the community and we look forward to hosting some cross-generational activities which everyone can enjoy together.”

There is no need to book to come along to this fantastic street party – simply turn up and take part, though those wanting to pre-order hot food are encouraged to do so early to avoid disappointment – it’s set to be delicious!!!  Cakes, hot and cold drinks can simply be purchased on the day. For more information or to book your hot meals go to the Chapel website at https://graylingwellchapel.com/whats-on/