The Big Lunch - Free Community Event

Comments & photos from previous years.

Approximately 250 people fill the Railway Gardens on the first Sunday in June for the 'Big Lunch' . This is an annual event - apart from the Covid interruption.

We were (sometimes) blessed with glorious weather and were delighted to see so many families from all communities in and around Sturminster turning up with their picnics, having fun on all of the free stalls and activities, mixing and getting to know one another. It really was a special and very happy day for the town. 

Huge thanks to everyone who supported the event, particularly Sturminster Co-op who so generously donated ice cream for over 700 free ice creams (!), the WI who provided huge amounts of delicious free cake and tea for everyone, to the Venture Scouts who worked so hard in the heat - and who were just delightful to work with - helping with the 'horse racing' and 'hula hooping', Porterhouse Balloon Empire for the incredible displays and free balloons for the children, and to The Exchange who have also been incredibly generous. 

Our thanks also go to; Dike & Son, Blackmore Vale Lions, Home Start, Mother's Union, Blandford Rotary Club, Churches Together, The Bulgarian Shop, Dorset Police and Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue (Sturminster Newton Fire brigade)

The 'Big Lunch' could not happen without all of the support it receives from organisations and businesses in the community.  We are very grateful to you all. Thank you.

If you would like to help (in any way) with community-boosting events, such as the Big Lunch, we would love to hear from you! Please do get in touch on Facebook (/SturminsterNewtonRotary) or by using the 'contact us' form on our website.