Fancy having a street party?

Street party in Over Street, September 2007

Useful tips and contacts

By Elly, North Laine resident

Street parties were held in Tidy Street and Over Street in the North Laine in September 2007.  They were a great success and are still talked about!

It's easy with a few willing helpers.   We organised ours in less than six weeks.  We wrote a short letter asking if there was any interest/objection, talents, age of children, number of adults etc.  After that a few mildly wary residents, most of whom had never met each other before, turned up on our doorstep and we took it from there!  We had six one-hour meetings. We chose Car Free Day for our first street party, as it meant we could apply for a small grant and a Council advert about the day is what inspired us to think of it.

A grant isn't necessary but can be very helpful in the first year to get things going, buy a few bits of equipment etc.  You can put something brilliant on very cheaply.

Some tips

§  You need to get the majority of the street residents' signatures for the Council in order to get the street closed (handy if you ask for this on your initial letter to residents).

§  It's good to get a date organised about three months in advance and will ease booking larger items such as bouncy castles.

§  Decide what it is you hope to achieve and keep it simple.

§  Contact other local party planners to get ideas and so as not to have too many parties on the same date.

Useful contacts

§  Mike Wright (Traffic Management at B&H City Council, tel: 292183) was very helpful. He gives you signs to warn that parking will be suspended and even brings road closure signs and cones to your door for your grand event.

§  www.resourcecentre.org.uk/equipment can hire out lots of handy games and equipment at incredibly reasonable prices. You have to be a charity to book so contact NLCA Chair Peter Crowhurst through this website to request permission to do this through the North Laine Community Association.

§  Within limits the organisers of the North Laine street parties in Tidy Street and Over Street are willing to help with advice. Contact us through this website  - we're always happy to hear from someone wanting their street to party!