First, everything you need to know about this national event is here but in a nutshell, "The aim is to get as many people as possible across the whole of the UK to have lunch with their neighbours once a year in a simple act of community, friendship and fun."
Well, what fun we had!
There was wonderful (very) spicy food provided by Matty's Bistro, in itself a worthwhile endeavour teaching young people skills that they can go on to develop in paid jobs, and it's been shown that these young people do go on to paid work in kitchens thanks to the work of Matty's Bistro. I've talked to a couple, too, and I can honestly say they're intelligent, enthusiastic, funny people who absolutely deserve this chance they've been given. I, for one, will show my support for this in any way I can, even if it's only buying a pie or two when they have a stall in the market on Stockton High Street. If you see their stall please do stop, buy some pies and have a chat. You'll be glad you did!
But anyway, I digressed.
The Big Lunch. Can you believe that Stockton Central Library allowed us in on a Sunday to eat, sing, dance, be merry and cause chaos to their otherwise calm, peaceful lives? Well, they blinkin' well did, and what an afternoon we had!
Infant Hercules, a male voice choir, regaled us with their rich, harmonious voices. This was their first proper performance having not been formed all that long ago, but you would never have known it; they were beautifully moving. It almost made me wish I was a man. Almost! I confess that I'd miss shoes and handbags too much.
Events like this are what make me so proud to be part of Stockton Town Choir, as we also joined in with the always impressive Wildcats of Kilkenny, along with Infant Hercules. I can only speak for myself, but singing We Shall Overcome for so many lovely people and in view of recent events gave me an extra sense of belonging, community and pride in what we were doing. I do hope it helped a few others, if not everyone else, to feel the same.
The Wildcats of Kilkenny then continued with a few songs of their own in the only way they know how; with fun, laughter, energy, incredible musicianship, audience participation (those poor, poor Yr 6's!), dancing, jumping and just a tiny bit of chaos.
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| Wildcats of Kilkenny @ The Big Lunch, Stockton Library 2013 |
Just another little aside here. It's easy sometimes being part of the choir to forget that Wildcats frontman, Mike McGrother, isn't just a ball of enthusiastic energy. He's also an incredible musician and infectious performer. The rest of the Wildcats could be easily overlooked with such a force of nature among them, but as a whole they work beautifully well together and their longevity is testament to this. I can't remember a time when the Wildcats weren't on the bill somewhere locally, and especially when it comes to events like SIRF and Intro Festival (previously Middlesbrough Music Live) they wouldn't be the same without them. There are a number of reasons why, after over 20 years, I decided to pick up my cello and attempt to play again. It was partly because I wanted a new challenge, for something to stimulate my senses, with a desire to re-awaken a passion for something that I used to be reasonably okay at, at least in my adolescent head. The final push towards my decision was watching the Wildcats, Cattle & Cane, Young Rebel Set and others perform for The Piano two weeks ago both on the high street and in The Storytellers, but especially the Storytellers. I may not play well (I'm pretty much back to being a learner, after all), but by hell I'm enthusiastic. I do feel it appropriate at this point to apologise to my neighbours; the cello is not a quiet or subtle instrument and I even make myself cringe!
Anyway, back to business (again). The Big Lunch was "... to get as many people as possible across the whole of the UK to have lunch with their neighbours once a year in a simple act of community, friendship and fun." I can say with absolute certainty that this was achieved. We ate, talked, laughed, sang, danced, and laughed and sang some more.
As Sunday afternoons go in a library, I'd say it's the best I've ever spent.
Should we stop there? Absolutely not! A sense of community doesn't have to be a huge gesture involving hundreds of people, as wonderful as it feels to be part of that (and I hope that doesn't stop). A sense of community can be formed with small gestures of kindness and inclusivity, whether it's taking homemade cakes into work to share with colleagues, taking a few moments to talk to your neighbours or even just smiling and saying hello to people as you walk past.
Take a moment and consider what would make you feel like part of a real community again, and if you can achieve it, do it. If you need help to achieve it, seek help and do it. There are more people out there than you think who are eager to make our world a little more pleasant, but you'll never see them if you don't look up from your phone at what's around you, and you'll never hear them if you don't stop, remove your earphones and take the time to listen.
Yesterday I made myself stop. I (mostly) put away my phone and I watched, listened, took part and had a blast. Thankfully a few other people took photos and videos of The Big Lunch, and the links are below. Look, watch, enjoy!
Photos
Video - Wildcats of Kilkenny
Video - Wildcats of Kilkenny - Nellie the Elephant
If you decide you want to be part of Infant Hercules or Stockton Town Choir, take a look below for meeting days/times (though you may want to check before attending, just in case summer holidays/football matches cause alterations):
Stockton Town Choir - Georgian Theatre Stockton, Wednesdays 6-7pm (from about 5:20pm for a bite to eat in Green Dragon Studios)
Infant Hercules - Red Lion pub, Norton, Thursdays from 8pm
A final aside. This afternoon I was walking down Redcar High Street and was pleased to see one of the shops being refitted ready to open as Re-Loved. I've never heard of it before, and someone else was asking what it's all about. Briefly, it's something set up to help young people in the local area but they explain it nicely here. It's great to see something positive in Redcar for young people, and the guy talking about it (who was also repainting the shutters on the shop) was so passionate about the positive effect it already has. Redcar's own Mike/Matty perhaps!
I opened my eyes and my ears and found something positive, just like I said could happen earlier (I typed that before I walked out the door this afternoon). Have a peak outside, it's becoming rather nice out there!
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