Celebrate the diversity of the Commonwealth

COMMUNITIES are urged to get together for lunch to celebrate the diversity of the Commonwealth.

Lady Gretton, the LordLieutenant of Leicestershire, is encouraging people to get involved with The Commonwealth Big Lunch, with groups from the 52 Commonwealth countries taking part.

Schools, sports clubs, youth groups, businesses, neighbours and families are urged to get together to share food, conversation and friendship.

Lady Gretton said: “Big Lunches can be large or small gatherings and can be held indoors or outdoors.

“The scale and format is up to you.

“The timing of local Big Lunches is also entirely down to you, as long as it is held between March 12 and April 22.”

The government is organising a public engagement programme across the country to embrace the diverse membership of the Commonwealth in the build up to the Commonwealth Games.

The games are taking place from April 4 to 15 in Queensland, Australia, after which the UK is hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit in June, to be attended by the Queen.

For recipes and information on how to set up your lunch, visit the Commonwealth Big Lunches website.

Email the Lord-Lieutenant to let her know how you get on with your event at lieutenancyoffice@ leics.gov.uk.