Results of first discussion

Wed 10th Nov 2010 - Mark, Nina, Kieron, Annie, Helen & Sarah

We met in the pub for about an hour and a half and had a first discussion about what sort of things we would like to see at a street party / fete. We agreed that it would be better to have lots of free & participatory things going on rather than just a lot of stalls (although a few garage sales & boot sales would be fine). The main events would be structured around an “everyone bring a dish” lunch to bring residents together, and later on a big round of tea (& scoffing of the cake competition entries). We could put out garden furniture to make big tables with lots of chairs etc. Other events would take place between these two group meals.

Suggestions for possible events included:

• Bunting. Lots of bunting.
• ***Mill Lane’s Got Talent*** (for adults & children)
• Garden games.
• Egg & spoon race.
• Cake baking competition.
• World map with flags to show “where are you from?”
• Acoustic music. (should have a prearranged schedule with times etc)
• Pet fancy dress.
• Archive photo display of the lane, Marlborough Rd & Beaconsfield Rd.
• Craft workshop type things.
• Dressing up stuff for children & face painting.
• Huge massive sheet of paper with paint for a giant collaborative painting.
• Throwing wet sponges at someone (volunteers please?)
• Funny costumes for adults & fancy dress generally.
• Ice Cream Van!
• A raffle with donated prizes to cover any costs.

We agreed that for the first year at least we should try to do this on a shoestring budget so that there’s no need to raise money in advance. Lots of people have old paint, materials etc that we can share.

It was generally agreed that the best place to locate all of this was towards the upper end of the Lane where it flattens out (although we are not saying nothing should happen at the lower end). The idea of people opening up their gardens to put on events was thought to be a good one.

The most important bit – we thought that June or even May (perhaps at the end of half term?) would be a good time. Saturday afternoon would be best and then afterwards individuals could have evening parties if they wished.

THINGS TO DO NEXT: 

Keep on thinking up ideas and deciding what we personally would like to get involved with putting on. Talk to our neighbours and get them interested.

NEXT MEETING IN JANUARY  date tbc

Images

Introduction

Mill Lane is a quiet, fairly nondescript lane that runs behind people's gardens between Beaconsfield Road & Marlborough Road in North Norwich. People park their cars at the lower end, in the summer kids play in the lane. Local residents walk up, down and across it every day.

We want to have a street party in the lane in Summer 2011! To have fun, to meet each other, to do something for ourselves.

We don't have to raise any money. We don't have to form a formal organisation. We just need to get talking, make a few plans, and make something happen here next year. We can close the lane to traffic for the day, put up bunting, put out tables and seating. We can open our gardens up as cafes, market stalls, fairground games, art galleries, or anything.

The first meeting for any interested residents is at 8pm on Wednesday 10th November at the Marlborough pub.

For inspiration and all sorts of useful information visit www.streetparty.org.uk