Loved by children of all ages, The Gruffalo made a special visit to Braidside Integrated Primary and Nursery School, Ballymena, with The Big Lunch, in celebration of the Month of Community during his grand tour of Northern Ireland.
Chosen from more than 100 schools, groups and nurseries that applied for a visit, Mrs Turner, Nursery teacher at Braidside Integrated Primary and Nursery School, said:
“As an integrated school, building an inclusive community is at the very heart and soul of what we do every day at Braidside. So hosting The Big Lunch picnic for our pupils, especially this year as we celebrate 40 years of integrated education, was the perfect way to celebrate Month of Community, and bring the children together to have some fun and to celebrate the fact that, as individuals, we are all unique and different, but when we join and work together, we make something strong and beautiful. And of course, the added bonus of a surprise visit from The Gruffalo was just the icing on the cake for all those excited children, and staff, who got to meet him!”
This year people enjoyed community connection as The Big Lunch was part of a whole Month of Community and the much loved Julia Donaldson character, The Gruffalo, travelled Northern Ireland with The Big Lunch, popping in to say thank you to many of the people hosting The Big Lunch or who held The Big Jubilee Lunch this year, supported by Oscar nominated Magic Light Pictures. Magic Light Pictures is a long term supporter of The Big Lunch, recognising the difference it makes to live in a community where people know one another.
Speaking about The Gruffalo grand tour visiting Braidside Integrated Primary and Nursery School, Grainne McCloskey, Northern Ireland Manager, Eden Project Communities, said:
"It was a joy to bring The Gruffalo to Northern Ireland once more. People of all ages have fun together meeting the much loved character and it’s a lovely way for us to say ‘hello’ and thank people for bringing their community together with The Big Lunch and Big Jubilee Lunch.
“Visiting Braidside Integrated Primary and Nursery School was extra special as he enjoyed taking part in their Big Lunch picnic while celebrating the difference connected communities make and the fact that young people are neighbours too.
"The Big Lunch and Eden Project Communities are funded by the National Lottery Community fund to develop a strong network across Northern Ireland and the UK bringing people together, creating happier, healthier communities where people know one another and neighbourhoods thrive.”
For more information on The Big Lunch, please visit www.thebiglunch.com.
For more information on Eden Project Communities in Northern Ireland, please visit:
https://www.edenprojectcommunities.com/news-from-northern-ireland; https://www.facebook.com/TheBigLunchNorthernIreland; https://twitter.com/thebiglunch_ni.