Street party in Tidy Street, 2007

A car free day in North Laine

By Heather Hacker, North Laine resident

Introduction

On Sunday 23rd September 2007 there were two North Laine street parties in celebration of Car Free Day. 'Streets for People' was part of Brighton & Hove City Council's 'JourneyOn' campaign (www.journeyon.co.uk), set up to encourage people to get fit, save money and help the environment by walking, cycling and using public transport.

Residents own street parties

Residents in both Tidy Street and Over Street got together to organise their own street parties, the roads were officially closed for the day and Astroturf was laid down. The parties were financially supported by B & H Council's 'Car Free Day Community Fund', as well as by local residents and traders and the North Laine Community Association.

There is a separate page on this website about the Over Street party. Heather Hacker writes below about the party in Tidy Street.

We started with brunch

I think everyone will agree that our Street Party on Sunday 23 September 2007, celebrating Car Free Day, was wonderful! Ruth, Alex and I started off with brunch at Rockola Café, the bunting was up, tables and chairs were out and even a green astro turf mat.

Babies, lunch and books

Then came the babies, including the twins, from up and down the street. They were all let loose on games and musical instruments. Then out came the lunches, books for free, wine tasting by Cocovino, and a large cheese board from Bill's.

Teatime

The sun shone, the music played on, and soon it was teatime. Then we had our own gypsy troubadour, well known in North Laine.

Thanks

Congratulations for all the organising by the young families in our street. We meant to visit the other street party in Over Street but couldn't bear to leave our own happy party. We hope it will become a regular event!

[Previously published in the 'North Laine Runner', No 188, Sept/Oct 2007]

Photo gallery below by Mark Erickson and Ruth Goodall