The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge took part in final preparations for a Commonwealth Big Lunch at St Luke’s Central Street Cookery School on Thursday 22nd March. They also toured the Community Centre and social enterprise Café, and met users of the Centre in Central Street.

Michael Ryan, St Luke’s CEO said: “It was a pleasure to show the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge what we do, and introduce them to so many of our service users who rely on this community hub. The Big Lunch embodies what St Luke’s is all about – bringing the community together.”

Among service users who met the Duke and Duchess were those who attend the Multicultural Group, Job Club, Growing Connections gardening group and members of the over 55s members’ club.

The Big Lunch is an initiative run by Eden Project Communities, aiming to bring communities and neighbours together to celebrate. St Luke’s Community Centre holds a Big Lunch in June every year.

Banner photograph by Victoria Dawe. Other photographs by Peter Robertshaw and Victoria Dawe.

Notes to editors:

Press contact at St Luke’s: Lisa Burrell, Communications Manager, 07505 380586.

About St Luke’s Community Centre (slpt.org.uk): A welcoming, neighbourly community centre in south Islington, London. It provides a space for local people to gather and socialise, and for St Luke’s and other organisations to deliver services and activities to benefit the local community, including lunch club for the over 55s, a café, an online centre, art & dance studios, kids clubs, a salon & therapy room, a unique cookery school, an employment hub, a members’ club suite and a variety of meeting rooms.

The Big Lunch (thebiglunch.com): is the UK’s annual get together for neighbours, an idea from the Eden Project made possible by the National Lottery. The Big Lunch started in 2009 with the belief that we’re better equipped to tackle the challenges we face when we face them together.  Last year over 9.3 million people took part in over 96,000 events across the UK. Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall is Patron.