‘You never forget the pain on someone’s face when they have to say no to something that is considered a basic,’ says Lucy Scott, a 42-year-old from Birmingham who runs a ‘pay what you can’ bakery.
Today, Lucy will be one of many Britons volunteering across the country this Coronation Big Lunch, an event happening May 6-8 in aid of King Charles’ official crowning.
The Big Lunch aims to ensure everyone can access food over a lunchtime meal, and enjoy spending time with their local community.
This year, Lucy will be hiring her local community centre to host a giant food swap.
‘We have asked people to bring their own best dishes – but there is no need to do that, we will also be providing food and are working with another local company to provide free craft sessions for the children,’ she says.
‘People can eat, and mingle and just enjoy the day.
‘I want our big lunch to really represent our diverse community and expect to see food from all over the world. Of course there will also be lots of cake.’
For Lucy, helping her community has always been close to her heart. Her bakery, Lil’s Parlour, has been a saving grace for families struggling in her local area.
‘I remember as a child when my parents or my relatives were going through hard times,’ she tells Metro.co.uk.
‘We were a close family and these experiences were shared. I remember the darkness when there wasn’t money for the electricity meter and the cold.
‘I also remember with great happiness that ice cream at the seaside that my parents probably couldn’t afford – simple things that had a big impact – that they probably made personal sacrifices to afford.
‘You don’t question why your mum always says she isn’t hungry when you are six.’
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Parents can come to her bakery and treat their children and themselves without that worry, thanks to a ‘pay what you can’ system which ensures payments are anonymous. Though Lucy has ‘recommended’ prices for items, there is no pressure – people can pay less or more.
‘There is a lot of guilt and shame about money and “affordability” but that is taken away in our bakery. Everyone is welcome,’ she says.
‘I’ll never forget a lady who came in with a pram and four children. She was scraping around for money to buy the kids a cookie to share.
‘When we told her that we were pay as you can and that she can have a treat for all the children she cried. We give out a lot of free hugs. This is the reality for a lot of people in 2023.’
Nearly a year later – opening two days a week to a ‘queue at the door’ (as that’s all Lucy can afford currently with small funding) – the bakery is doing well, though it hasn’t come without sacrifices.
‘I have made a lot of personal sacrifices over the past 12 months,’ she says.
‘I take no, or a very nominal salary and my husband works long hours to keep things afloat at home with bills and basics.
‘Sometimes it feels hard or frustrating but I am no different or special, I am only experiencing similar things to a lot of my customers.
‘Our margins are tight and we have to keep a really tight reign on our finances. I am in the role of providing affordable luxuries for other people, not myself.’
Lil’s Parlour is about ‘bringing people together’, which is very much in keeping with the spirit of the Big Lunch.
Lucy says: ‘I thought the Big Lunch was really inspirational.
‘Many of our customers feel lonely or isolated, especially since the pandemic and I hope it will be an opportunity for friendships to be made through food.
‘I always feel so proud of how communities in the UK come together during events such as the coronation.
‘I want to create a safe, inclusive place for people to come and celebrate in a way that feels comfortable to them. We are brilliant at doing that in the UK.’
Here’s how others are helping at the Big Lunch
Neelam Aggarwal Singh
Neelam has been volunteering for 30 years and brands herself a ‘royalist’. This year, she is organising a picnic with games, sports, face painting, crown making and music.
‘Princess Diana and the Queen have always been role models for me as very strong ladies,’ she says.
‘It’s a momentous occasion for me and the first time in my lifetime that I’ll see a Coronation so a Coronation Big Lunch is the ideal way to celebrate.
‘As I’m from India, which is part of the Commonwealth, that also encourages me to take part.
‘At the Indian Hindu Welfare Organisation, we are very inclusive and have always celebrated royal occasions.
‘We were awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services in 2022 which was such a special, one-off achievement.’
Alan Cook
Alan and his wife Gwen and have been organising an annual Big Lunch on their street since 2012.
They’re both ‘community minded’ and run Just Ride Southend, an inclusive cycling scheme that enables people to cycle in a traffic-free environment.
He says: ‘Each year, we hold a meeting, make a plan, apply for a road closure and make sure everything runs smoothly and everyone gets involved.
‘This year, we’re encouraging everyone to come in fancy dress with a link to a King! We’re expecting all sorts of costumes – you might see King Kong, Tutankhamun, or even Elvis.
‘We’ll also have a king-sized street bingo, a best crown competition and will be enjoying our usual sharing table of food, as well as egg and spoon races and musical chairs.’
Alan first went to a street party in 1977 for the Silver Jubilee and he dressed up with his cousin as one half of Laurel and Hardy.
He remembers: ‘I’d never experienced anything like it before – the buzz of closed roads, tables down the centre, and the noise and sense of community and fun, it was just brilliant. It stuck with me for a long time.’
Made possible by The National Lottery, the Coronation Big Lunch brings communities together to share friendship, food and fun. Grab a fork and join the party that’s right up your street from 6-8 May. Find out more at www.CoronationBigLunch.com
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