Street Party Guide

Decorations

In the run up to your street party, part of your committee should take responsibility for decorations.

You may want to ask neighbours to decorate their windows and front gardens and you could even create a competition element.  

Why not put together a sewing or knitting circle to create bunting, banners and decorations for the event? It’s a great opportunity to socialise and work together or a project people can work on individually and join together ahead of the big day.

Anybody handy with DIY or woodwork could help create other decorations and elements for the big day, artists could create murals, it’s a fantastic opportunity for people to tap into their talents and hobbies to brighten up the street for their celebration.

When hanging decorations, you can use street furniture in most cases, but be careful when working at height. It is worth having someone on your committee responsible for overseeing health and safety.

Find a guide to making fabric bunting.

Recipes

Lemon Drizzle Cake

Add some zest to your celebration with this Lemon Drizzle cake recipe from Something Scrummy, a local café based in Braintree District Museum.

For the sponge:
250g unsalted butter or vegan spread (both work well but the vegan spread gives the option of making the cake dairy free)
250g caster sugar
4 eggs
250g self-raising flour
1 large lemon, zested

For the drizzle:
Juice of 1 large lemon
100g granulated sugar (caster sugar will work but granulated sugar gives a good crunch to the topping!)

1. Preheat oven to 160C.
    
2. Line a 30cm x 15cm loaf tin with baking paper.
    
3. Using an electric hand whisk or stand mixer, beat together the butter or spread and caster sugar until the mixture turns light and creamy.
    
4. Slowly add the eggs, one at a time.
    
5. Sift in the flour.
    
6. Add the lemon zest and mix well.
    
7. Spoon the mixture into your lined tin and smooth the top.
    
8. Bake for 40-45 minutes and test the middle of the cake with a skewer or cocktail stick to ensure fully cooked.  Don't be tempted to open the oven too early as it may cause your loaf to sink!
    
9. Once the cake is cooked, prick the top all over with a skewer or cocktail stick whilst it is cooling.  This will help the drizzle topping soak into the cake to make it extra lemony!
    
10. Make the drizzle by mixing the lemon juice and granulated sugar together.
     
11. Pour this over the top of the cake.
     
12. Leave to cool completely, then remove from the tin, slice and serve.