Love thy neighbour
Liverpool will be the first city in the UK to celebrate European Neighbours’ Day - for a whole week!
The annual event encourages neighbours to get together and create stronger communities and from Sunday 24 May, Liverpool City Council wants as many people as possible to arrange an event to get to know their neighbours.
Suggestions include organising a coffee afternoon, picnic or even a street party.
And this year’s celebrations have a green theme to mark Liverpool’s Year of the Environment. Ideas with an environmental slant such as arranging a community litter pick or getting residents to create hanging baskets to brighten up the neighbourhood would make a great contribution.
The city council’s executive member for safer, stronger communities, Councillor Marilyn Fielding, said: “It’s great news that Liverpool is embracing European Neighbours' Day, so much so that one day just isn’t enough for us to make the most of our communities!
“Developing good relations with your neighbours is an important part of making our communities a safer, happier place to live.
“The week is a great opportunity for people to get to know their fellow residents and celebrate the importance of community life.
“And, of course, this is a chance for people to get involved in the city’s green year by doing something together which can only benefit their neighbourhood and the city as a whole.”
To get involved, residents should have a chat with neighbours about a potential event, the time, the location etc. They should then contact the city council to register the event. Just call 0151 233 5406 or e-mail the European Neighbours’ Day coordinator: gerry.proctor@liverpool.gov.uk.
Once the event is registered, posters, invitation cards and badges will be provided to help your activity run smoothly.
Gerry Proctor said: “Last year’s day was a huge success and lots of people got involved. In Garston there was a fantastic Fun Day involving hundreds of people, in many city centre apartments cheese and wine evenings were held and let’s not forget the Lord Mayor invited neighbouring businesses to a tea party in the Town Hall.
“Neighbours’ Day really does empower people and I’m sure this year will be even more popular with residents across the city making their neighbourhoods even more friendly and welcoming.”
The official day is Tuesday 26 May and more than eight million people are expected to take part across Europe.
