PICTURES: Cambrai Avenue street party
What began as a beautiful day in Chichester gradually grew greyer as clouds gathered, with heavy rain hitting at 3pm, just as the party started.
But that did not deter the friendly street from congregating to enjoy food, drink and music with their neighbours.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdHelene Zervas has lived in Cambrai Avenue for just six months.
She said: “Ever since we moved here people say hello down the street. It’s so friendly so it’s really nice to have a street party. There’s a really strong sense of community.”
With the street closed off to traffic, children played football out in the road.
Greg James lived in Cambrai Avenue for eight years before moving to Littlefield Road and was there with his six-year-old son, Frank.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdHe said Cambrai Avenue is ‘a brilliant street’ and the party ‘takes most of us back to our youth when we were kids in the seventies’.
“It’s nice to have the freedom to run around outside in the street without the fear of being run over or told off,” he added.
When asked what his favourite thing was about the party, Frank said ‘everything’.
Becky and Ninesh Edwards have organised the party for the last five years since it started with the Queen’s Jubilee.
“There is so much goodwill,” said Becky.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“I think street parties always bring out the best in people.
“We try to do it every year because it’s a way of meeting everyone and after the party people always say hello.”
The Cambrai residents brought cakes, lemonade and other treats to share.
Ninesh, who is responsible for the music on the day, said: “There’s usually a theme. For the jubilee we went for all British artists and now we are just going for stuff that gets people dancing.”
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThere were even some visitors over from the continent to enjoy the Great British summer.
Alain Gilbert, from Le Mans, France, said the party was ‘bizarre and rather damp, but really nice’.
“The road is very unique and there’s a certain joie de vivre despite the weather,” he added.
Phil and Maja Pitts said they have something similar in their own road in Switzerland.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“We also close down the street from traffic and have people bringing out food and a band,” they said.
When asked if they have similar weather, they said: “We get lucky or we don’t get lucky.”
The party continued until around 7pm, when the sun came back out.