A SPECIAL story-telling session organised by Scottish Borders Libraries and The Big Lunch was held last week in Galashiels library for local children and parents.

The children listened to a reading of George and Flora’s Big Party – an Eden Project book based on The Big Lunch concept – about neighbourly get-togethers and how getting to know your neighbours makes people happier, whilst enjoying party treats.

The Big Lunch – the UK’s annual get-together for neighbours - is funded by The Big Lottery Fund and partnered by Halifax, Asda and StreetClub by B&Q.

Now in its sixth year, the simple idea from the Eden Project aims to provide neighbours with an opportunity to get to know one another better. The Big Lunch happens on the first Sunday in June each year – this year Sunday, June 1.

In 2013 over 3.65 million people took part in Big Lunches across the UK, including thousands from Scotland, who held street parties, picnics in the park and community hall gatherings. This year, The Big Lunch in Scotland has partnered with the Scottish Libraries and Information Council to help encourage more Scottish communities to take part.

Christine Johnston, Communities Librarian at Scottish Borders Council, said: “Libraries are a community hub, not only a place to find books and computers but an important resource available to local people. They are a central meeting point and a place to find out about what’s happening in the community and how they can get involved.

“The Big Lunch shares a similar community ethos and that is why we’ve teamed up with them to encourage our library users across the Borders to get involved.” Research released by The Big Lunch earlier this year found that speaking to our neighbours makes us happier, with seven in ten of us claiming that a simple conversation with a neighbour makes us feel more in touch with the rest of our community.

But the research highlights that there is more to be done when it comes to making small talk with our neighbours as one in twenty say they have never engaged in small talk with a neighbour, while another one in twenty admits it’s been years.

Neighbours in the Borders and across Scotland are being encouraged to host a Big Lunch event in their communities to spread small talk further and build community bonds.

Anyone who is interested can get started by requesting a free Big Lunch pack from www.thebiglunch.com to get events off the ground. Packs contain invitations and posters to adapt for your community, as well as seeds, a bunting template and an inspiration booklet with lots of ideas and information. All pack materials are undated so communities can have Big Lunches when best suits them if they can’t join in on Sunday 1 June. For more information, please contact Emma at The Big Lunch in Scotland on emma.smith@thebiglunch.com or 0141 559 5066.