TRADITIONAL street parties returned to the East End of London yesterday as part of a nationwide campaign to bring Britain’s communities together—just like the old days. The old spirit from the VE Day celebrations in 1945 and the Queen’s Coronation in 1953 was alive and well

By Danielle Myles

TRADITIONAL street parties returned to the East End of London yesterday (Sunday) as part of a nationwide campaign to bring Britain’s communities together—just like the old days.

The old spirit from the VE Day celebrations in 1945 and the Queen’s Coronation in 1953 was alive and well in Stepney Green, where organisers now plan to make it an annual event.

The last time they had a street party there was in 1981 for the Royal wedding of Princess Di and Prince Charles.

They got the trellis tables out for 100 neighbours (pictured, top) who got together to share food, drink and have a good time. It was just like the Coronation 56 years ago (above).

NEIGHBOURS

“It was absolutely brilliant,” organiser Barbara Nunn told the East London Advertiser.

“It went so well that we’ve now put the buntings away for next year. We were trying to keep it old fashioned.”

The street looked strikingly similar to how it did during the Coronation. Grandmother Barbara set up the trellis tables with co-organiser Esther McKinney and made sure it was kept as close to tradition as possible.

The party was part of the national Big Lunch project which encouraged communities to hold lunches on the one day to bring residents together.