Gannicox Road and Burford Drive Picnic

MORE than 100 residents of Gannicox Road and Burford Drive enjoyed a community picnic on Sunday, August 16, on the playing fields of Stroud High School.

The event was organised by residents, Peter Simon, Margaret Stronach, Diana Fellows, Caroline Chater, Bea Brandish and Anna Gerrard, by knocking on the doors of their neighbours over the last few weeks.

The positive response was overwhelming with nearly the whole cul-de-sac turning out on a sunny afternoon to enjoy each other's food, each other's company and the odd three-legged race.

Organiser, Anna Gerrard, said she was impressed that the the school allowed them to use the field.

"We wanted to bring the neighbours together but felt that a party in the street might get too complicated so I rang the High School and they were so accommodating, letting us have access to the playing fields during the school holidays. And it's right next door to us so it felt like our very own shared back garden."

The last time a street party was held in Gannicox Road was in 1977 for the Queen's Silver Jubilee so residents were delighted to have an opportunity to get together and meet more of their neighbours.

PCSO Gary Lynch of the local policing team, who dropped by to say hello, said it was exactly the kind of thing that his team is trying to encourage.

"An event like this promotes cohesion and trust - just what our communities need."

By the end of the afternoon there was already talk of making it an annual occasion and maybe having other similar events throughout the year.