The best of the Commonwealth Big Lunches

12 Mar 2018

People are gathering in our churches this month to celebrate the Commonwealth and community spirit. The Commonwealth Big Lunches are part of a nationwide series of events in the run-up to a meeting of world leaders in London. We're hosting 53 of them, one for every country in the Commonwealth.

Join us for good food, good company, and some excellent bunting! Visit our What's On page to find a lunch near you, and don't forget to share your photos by emailing them to [email protected]. Here are some of our favourites.

  • Flying the flag for India at All Souls' Bolton
  • Flying the flag for India at All Souls' Bolton
  • Cheers! The CCT staff enjoy a Commonwealth Big Lunch break
  • Living it up in Langport (All Saints' Church)
  • Serving up community spirit at All Saints', Langport
  • Rev David Austin (left), the vicar of St Augustine's in Norwich, celebrating Commonwealth and community with Godfred Otoo of Ghana. Members of the community enjoyed a Ghanaian lunch at the church on Sunday 8 April
  • New Zealand-themed lunch at St Mary's church, Capel-le-Ferne, last Friday 6 April
  • New Zealand-themed lunch at St Mary's church, Capel-le-Ferne, last Friday 6 April
  • Celebrating Malaysia, the Commonwealth and the local community at St Leonard's Church, Bridgnorth. Around 30 people gathered for tea and cake earlier this month.
  • A picnic lunch at All Saints' Church, Harewood
  • Enjoying a Commonwealth Big Picnic at All Saints' Church, Harewood.
  • Enjoying a Commonwealth Big Picnic at All Saints' Church, Harewood.
  • The Commonwealth Big Lunch at Holy Trinity Church York was followed by a community spring clean!
  • The Commonwealth Big Lunch at Holy Trinity Church York was followed by a community spring clean!
  • What a spread! Home-baked treats at the Australian-themed 'Commonwealth Tea' in St Michael's Church, Longstanton. Photo by Adrian Powter.
  • An Australian-themed 'Commonwealth Tea' in St Michael's Church, Longstanton. Photo by Adrian Powter.
  • An Australian-themed 'Commonwealth Tea' in St Michael's Church, Longstanton. Photo by Adrian Powter.
  • Guest of honour at the Australian-themed 'Commonwealth Tea' in St Michael's Church, Longstanton. Photo by Adrian Powter.
  • Around 50 people joined us at the Church of St Mary the Virgin, North Stoke, for a Commonwealth Big Lunch in partnership with The Malawi Schools Project on 15 April 2018.
  • Sharing stories and snacks in North Stoke.

  • St Nicholas' Church, Saintbury, hosted a Kenyan-themed Commonwealth Big Lunch, serving up a delicious menu of Swahili beans, kale and chapattis, with pineapple and pawpaw for desert.

  • A Kenyan-themed Commonwealth Big Lunch at St Nicholas' Church, Saintbury.

  • We enjoyed an afternoon tea with Fabian Hamilton MP Shadow Minister for Peace & Disarmament and Rev Mark Harewood from Roscoe Church in Leeds on 21 April.
  • Patrick, our volunteer, received a personal invitation for a tour of the House of Commons.
  • Enjoying afternoon tea in Leeds.
  • Guests at St John's Church, Leeds, were greeted with Caribbean music.
  • A fantastic spread at the Church of St Edmund in Rochdale!
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